Two days after holding their breath over a lower leg injury to left tackle Duane Brown, the Houston Texans are once again inhaling deeply after defensive end J.J. Watt left Thursday’s practice with an elbow injury, Nick Scurfield of HoustonTexans.com reports.
Watt is currently being evaluated, but Scurfield adds that head coach Gary Kubiak thinks he’ll have the 2011 first-round pick back by the regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
"J.J.'s got elbow issue that we've obviously got to evaluate here at lunch time and see what happens," Kubiak said. "I'm trying to smile. I'm concerned until we go find out what's going on. But you know, I don't want to say nothing. It's his elbow, we're gonna take a look at it. Hopefully, everything will be OK."
Watt had a sensational rookie season, starting all 16 games and posting 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks before adding another 3.5 sacks and a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown in two playoff games. A prolonged training camp absence would create an opportunity for 2012 fourth-round pick Jared Crick to get some first-team reps opposite Antonio Smith during practice and the preseason.
UPDATE: Kubiak said Watt dislocated his elbow and that Watt will only miss some practice time.
"We dodged another bullet," Kubiak said.