J.J. Watt may not have taken a single snap in this preseason, but it didn't affect the NFL's two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Against Kansas City, Watt had nine solo tackles, including six for a loss to tie his career high from three years ago. He also registered two sacks on Alex Smith, tied for the most in a season opener in franchise history. He even lost his helmet on one of them, another personal first.
"I think I've had a tackle without a helmet, but I don't think I've ever had a sack without a helmet before," Watt said after the game. "I mean, the guy's hands were in my face and knocked my helmet off and I'm not going to just stop playing. It turned out to be a sack, so I'll take it."
Watt has now posted a sack in his sixth-consecutive game, dating back to 2014. It's the second-longest active streak in the NFL, the first being Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston with seven games.
Watt lined up next to Vince Wilfork in his first start as a Texan. Wilfork also didn't play a snap in the preseason. The 12-year veteran defensive tackle offered a lot of insight in-game. Wilfork can communicate what he sees immediately coming off the field onto the sideline, according to Watt. The three-time All-Pro gave credit to Wilfork and his teammates for Sunday's performance.
"It's teammates doing a great job," Watt said. "It's never a one-man show. You've got guys setting the edge on the other side to pull a guy up, so I can come in from the backside. There's so many aspects to a game. Great calls by RAC (defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel). And then it's just playing football, playing hard, trying to go out there and make a play and do whatever you can to help your team win."
The (0-1) Texans fell to the Chiefs 27-20 in the season opener and will travel to Carolina to take on the (1-0) Panthers in Week 2.
Take a look at photos from Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs.
