The Arizona Cardinals dream season finally hit its first reality check on Thursday night when reports surfaced that star defensive lineman JJ Watt could miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury that will require surgery.
Watt reportedly suffered the injury during the first half of the Cardinals win on Sunday over the Texans. He remained in the game, finishing it and was seen after the game all smiles.
The Cardinals signed Watt to a 2 year, $31 million contract this past offseason, despite the fact that he has missed significant parts of two of his last three seasons as a member of the Houston Texans.
Watt had been having a big early impact for the undefeated Cardinals. According to Pro Football Focus, Watt had the 10th best grade of any defensive lineman in the NFL this season and was the highest graded Cardinals starting defensive player.
If Watt does indeed miss the remainder of the season Jordan Phillips, Michael Dogbe and Zach Allen will be counted on to take big steps forward to fill Watt's massive shoes.