Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White as the only two players to register at least 15 sacks in three of their first five NFL seasons. Watt entered a Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with 14.5 sacks, and in the first quarter he brought down Blake Bortles to bring his season total to 15.5 sacks.
J.J. Watt just did something only Reggie White has ever done
Watt just reached a significant milestone that only one other player in NFL history reached.
Watt came into Sunday’s game against the Jaguars with 71.5 career sacks. He led the league with 20.5 sacks in 2012, and was second in the league with 20.5 sacks last season. He had a down year with just 10.5 sacks in 2013, but he’s back on track with his play this year.
Watt broke his hand late in the season, but he’s already back to playing without the cast, which certainly has him playing better.
With the sack, Watt took the lead in sacks this season from Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders.
White put up three 15-sack seasons, though Kevin Greene, Richard Dent and Andre Tippett all recorded two seasons of 15 sacks within their first five seasons as well. White, Dent and Tippett are all Hall of Fame players. Watt is in his fifth season in the league and has plenty of time to put up even bigger numbers down the line.
By the end of their careers, White reached 15 sacks in a single season five times, Dent did it twice and Tippett did it twice. There is little doubt that Watt has the skill to reach White’s mark of five seasons reaching the milestone.
Watt is indisputably the best player on the Texans, and he’s done great things as a leader of that defense. He spearheaded the team’s recent four-game winning streak. They entered Week 17 needing a win to seal the AFC South.
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