J.J. WATT

Matt Ryan, who retired last week after 15 years in the NFL, will join CBS Sports as a studio analyst on “The NFL Today” and Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason will leave after long runs on the show.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.

J.J. Watt was inducted into the Houston Texans’ Ring of Honor on Sunday, bringing the defensive end back to the place where he became a superstar.

Deion Sanders wants his players reading all about how good they are because the Colorado coach isn’t one to keep his players grounded.

J.

Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes for his sixth straight game with multiple TDs and the San Francisco 49ers clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs with a 38-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Even though he’s still playing great football, it looks as if J.

Deshaun Watson is set to return from an 11-game NFL suspension following sexual misconduct allegations when the Cleveland Browns visit the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns, lifting the Kansas City Chiefs to an impressive 44-21 road win over the Arizona Cardinals in the opener for both teams.

Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely caught eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown and the Baltimore Ravens ran their preseason winning streak to 22 games, beating the Arizona Cardinals 24-17 on Sunday night.

In Dallas, Steve Kerr and Jason Kidd did not want to talk about basketball.

The Houston Texans have a first-round draft pick for the first time since 2019, and thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade they have two selections in the opening round.

Kyler Murray’s first NFL playoff start quickly turned into a nightmare.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio says it was his decision to fire head coach David Culley after just one season.

The Arizona Cardinals are a team in desperate need of a spark.

The Arizona Cardinals announced that three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.

The Associated Press will hand out its individual NFL awards on Feb. 10 at NFL Honors in Los Angeles.

Every year, players in every NFL city fail to meet expectations.

Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes, Randall Cobb caught both of them and the Green Bay Packers knocked off the previously unbeaten Arizona Cardinals 24-21 after Kyler Murray’s stunning late interception on Thursday night.

DeAndre Hopkins caught a touchdown pass against his former team, Zach Ertz caught a touchdown pass for his new team and the Arizona Cardinals scored 31 unanswered points to beat the Houston Texans 31-5 on Sunday.

Tampa Bay is 7-1 for the first time in franchise history, and Las Vegas is 2-0 without Jon Gruden.

Kyler Murray threw four touchdown passes as the Arizona Cardinals remained the NFL’s only unbeaten team.

The Arizona Cardinals improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1974, riding a stellar defensive performance to a 17-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Tyrod Taylor threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns filling in for Deshaun Watson to lead the Houston Texans to a 37-21 win over Trevor Lawrence and the mistake-prone Jacksonville Jaguars.

Derrick Henry now has an extra game to help him surpass Eric Dickerson’s 37-year-old rushing record.

The Houston Texans begin camp with quarterback Deshaun Watson's status overshadowing everything else.

Nick Caserio enters his first draft as the general manager of the Houston Texans with the unique challenge of trying to improve a team that went 4-12 last season without the benefit of a first- or second-round pick.

Regardless, on Monday, two days before the NFL's 2021 business year begins, the 32 teams and agents for the players will be making deals. “Legal tampering, and tampering is illegal? AdOf course, free agency always is a buyer-beware situation. AdVoila: Lavonte David, a key linebacker, was re-signed, and several other key guys in the title run could be back. “We do have some money from a cap standpoint that we can spend; but again, it’s an interesting year.

(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)DENVER – Teams searching for an antidote to the high-octane offenses and mobile quarterbacks that dominate the modern NFL won't have to wait around for the draft. Free agency this year promises a deeper pool of possibilities than usual because the league's lost revenues during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 resulted in the first decrease in the salary cap in a decade. Then, the league scuttled its annual scouting combine in Indianapolis, making it harder still for teams to evaluate the incoming class. Ad“In the draft, you’re just shooting from the hip because you just haven’t really spent any time around players,” former Bucs GM Mark Dominik said. “You talk about being able to deal with all the speed, I love the linebacker group, off-the-ball linebackers," Jeremiah said.

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. New Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the team has no intention of trading Watson, despite the star quarterbacks request to be dealt. “We are very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback,” Culley said. Culley said they do not have a contingency plan at quarterback if Watson decides to hold out if he isn’t traded. Asked if Watson was committed to him and the team, Culley replied: “Yes, he is.”When pushed about how he knows that, Culley didn’t provide any details indicating Watson has told him that.

J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. But the more he looked at his options, the more the Arizona Cardinals made sense. Watt said the team's recruiting pitch was “strong and heavy” when trying to entice the edge rusher to the desert. Watt said he'll always remember Houston fondly, but he's eager to start the next phase of his career with the Cardinals.

Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)TEMPE, Ariz. – J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans, for whom he won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Watt had one year remaining on a six-year, $100 million contract with the Texans. He was the league's top defensive player in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

J.J. Watt enters the field before the game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON – Defensive end J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans have decided to part ways after a rocky season. The football player announced his release in a Twitter video on Friday morning. The Houston Texans thanked Watt in a Tweet shortly after. Thank you, J.J. Watt,” the Texans said in the post.

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) looks on before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Houston. Watt and the Texans have mutually agreed to part ways, ending the tenure of the face of the franchise and adding another huge change to an offseason filled with upheaval. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, FIle)HOUSTON – J.J. Watt didn't just play for the Houston Texans, he was the Houston Texans. Now he's gone, and a team already in the midst of unprecedented upheaval faces a future suddenly even more bleak. The fearsome pass rusher was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers earned his third Associated Press Most Valuable Player award, while Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald took his third top defensive player prize at NFL Honors. Titans 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry won Offensive Player of the Year, and the offensive rookie honor went to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Cleveland's Kevin Stefanski was the Coach of the Year, and Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll earned assistant coach honors. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work in the community. Rodgers had perhaps the best season of his 16-year career, leading Green Bay to a 13-3 regular season, the NFC’s best mark.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans know Deshaun Watson is the quarterback they need to lead them next year and beyond. First on the list of priorities for the Texans is to hire a coach and general manager. That’s pretty obvious.”DECISIONS ON OFFENSEWhile the Texans are set with Watson, they have plenty of other decisions to make on offense. Star receiver Will Fuller is a free agent and Watson has been vocal about his desire for the Texans to re-sign him.

(Gary Schottle via AP)Gary Schottle arrived in time to see the other kids in line hitting and jumping on his young son. Special Olympics changed everything. Special Olympics has since branched out to more than 170 countries, empowering more than 5 million athletes who had often been cast aside. In 20 years of Special Olympics competition, Tank's confidence has soared, his leadership spreading across playing fields, the Houston area and beyond. Once one of the bullied, he has become a living embodiment of the Special Olympics message.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt leaves the field after a losing an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have been bad all season. Sunday was the third time in the past four games the Texans have had a chance to win or tie a game late but lost a fumble instead. “And in my mind, for me, he brings a high level of hope for us to be able to win a game. The Titans beat the Texans 42-36 in overtime in Week 6 behind a 212-yard rushing performance from Derrick Henry.

Houston Texans J.J. Watt sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)HOUSTON – Frustration boiled over for star J.J. Watt after the Houston Texans dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday. The Texans were driving after Perine’s second score when Deshaun Watson was sacked by Sam Hubbard, who forced a fumble that Margus Hunt recovered. After the game Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was asked if this was the most difficult season of his 10-year career. Watt responded with an impassioned and expletive-laced rant that lasted almost two minutes.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Seattle's star quarterback Russell Wilson and Kansas City's standout tight end Travis Kelce are among the 32 finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)In a year impacted by a pandemic and social unrest, NFL players have spoken out and stepped up. “The 32 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees remind us that even in the face of adversity, players continue to raise awareness and use their voice and platform to positively impact their communities. “Being nominated as the Chiefs' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” tight end Travis Kelce said. As an organization captain, he directs a team of active NFL players who are committed to using their platform to help address the clean water crisis.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)The AFC doesn’t lack for drama or star power even though Tom Brady has taken his talents to Davis Beach. WEST: The Chiefs (8-1) are still the class of the conference despite a hiccup against the resurgent Raiders (5-3), who won 40-32 at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11. Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 100 TD passes, doing it in 40 games, four fewer than Dan Marino. The Broncos (3-5) have been waylaid by injuries and COVID-19 opt-outs, exposures and infections and Drew Lock went 45 drives without a TD pass.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Deshaun Watson might never lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars. All of them, including the team's only two wins this season, came with Watson at the helm. The Jaguars would have become the first to allow at least 30 points in seven consecutive games in a single season. Jaguars players screamed at officials as Watson snapped the ball, insisting the play clock was at zero, and Marrone was livid afterward. And that’s all I’m saying about that one.”KEY INJURIESTexans: Already down three linebackers to start the game, Houston lost another in the first quarter when Brennan Scarlett injured an arm.

HOUSTON – Interim coach Romeo Crennel was asked what’s next for the Houston Texans after yet another loss this weekend dropped them at 1-6. Houston held the Packers to 96 yards rushing with Aaron Jones out with an injury a week after allowing a season-high 263 yards rushing in an overtime loss to Tennessee. “You are what your record says you are.”WHAT’S WORKINGQuarterback Deshaun Watson continues to make the team’s passing game the bright spot in this dismal season. He ranks second in the NFL with 2,095 yards passing and hasn’t thrown an interception in two games. Johnson managed just 42 yards rushing and lost a fumble after a reception in the fourth quarter.

On Monday, interim coach Romeo Crennel said he appreciated Watt’s sentiment, but that the loss was not on him. The Titans finished with 263 yards rushing, the most yards rushing the Texans have allowed this season. He had just 57 yards rushing against the Titans to leave the Texans ranked 31st in the NFL in yards rushing with just 85.8 a game. KEY NUMBER1 — Bradley Roby intercepted Tannehill in the fourth quarter on Sunday to give the Texans their first interception of the season. He had a season-low 15 yards rushing on Sunday in a loss to Tampa Bay, but could still challenge Houston’s struggling run defense after running for a career-high 168 yards in Week 2.

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans finally picked up a win this weekend in their first game since coach Bill O’Brien was fired. Now the Texans are looking to build on what they did in the victory over the Jaguars with interim coach Romeo Crennel and improve this week when they are scheduled to visit the Titans. “I saw the fight during the course of the game,” Crennel said. They held the Jaguars to just 75 yards rushing after entering the game allowing 181.8 yards a game. He has 319 yards rushing in just three games and ran for 211 yards in his previous game against Houston.

Deshaun Watson threw for a season-high 359 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was recovered by Whitney Mercilus, who fumbled on the return, but the Texans pounced on the ball to keep it. Houston (1-4) pushed the lead to 30-14 when Watson found Brandin Cooks on a 28-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-4 with about five minutes remaining. The Texans were able to overcome two interceptions by Watson by taking advantage of two fumbles by the Jaguars. EJECTEDFor the second week in a row a player was ejected for targeting after a hit on a Texans player.

HOUSTON – The Bill O’Brien era is over in Houston, and now it’s up to Romeo Crennel to help the Texans try to turn around this dreadful season. Along with improving their mindset, Crennel believes the biggest problem for the Texans this season has been inconsistency, something he’s focused on improving this week. Then we look bad.”“My goal is to try to get us to look good on a more consistent basis,” he said. But he believes the winless Texans will have a chip on their shoulders in the wake of O’Brien’s firing. STOPPING THE RUNIf the Texans hope to get a win on Sunday, they’ll have to find a way to stop the run.

HOUSTON – Houston Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has been fired by the organization after more than six seasons with the franchise. The Texans fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2008, losing 31-23 to the previously winless Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. O’Brien was 52-48 overall as the Texans head coach. He is the first NFL head coach to be fired this season. Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season.

HOUSTON – Dalvin Cook could be due for a big game Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Houston Texans in a matchup of winless teams. Cook ranks third in the NFL in yards rushing after running for a career-high 181 yards last week in a loss to Tennessee. Houston (0-3) has the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing a whopping 188.3 yards rushing a game this season. Houston ranks 31st in the NFL in yards rushing with just 66 a game. “You just get to work,” Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said.

And the Houston Texans quickly find themselves running of time to get it going in 2020. A 28-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday dropped Houston to 0-3 for the second time in three years. A week ago, Baltimore pushed the Texans around late to fend off any hopes of a comeback. At an empty Heinz Field, the Steelers put together drives of 79 yards and 62 yards in the fourth quarter. “Playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’re going to wear you down if they possess the ball like that.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) celebrates on the sideline with teammate cornerback Joe Haden (23) after making a touchdown catch against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers spent two quarters trying to hem in Deshaun Watson. Slicing into the backfield relentlessly, the Steelers put the clamps on the Texans in the second half to rally for a 28-21 victory that pushed them to 3-0 for the first time in a decade. Houston managed just 51 yards and two first downs over in the final 30 minutes to fall to 0-3. After opening the season with two relatively drama-free wins, the Steelers needed to overcome an early 11-point deficit to stay perfect. Steelers: Johnson exited in the second quarter due to a concussion on the play where Roethlisberger helped pave the way for a short gain.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers spent two quarters trying to hem in Deshaun Watson. Slicing into the backfield relentlessly, the Steelers put the clamps on the Texans in the second half to rally for a 28-21 victory that pushed them to 3-0 for the first time in a decade. Houston managed just 51 yards and two first downs over in the final 30 minutes to fall to 0-3. After opening the season with two relatively drama-free wins, the Steelers needed to overcome an early 11-point deficit to stay perfect. Steelers: Johnson exited in the second quarter due to a concussion on the play where Roethlisberger helped pave the way for a short gain.

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have been terrible against the run to start this season and it has left them in an 0-2 hole with a trip to Pittsburgh looming on Sunday. David Johnson, in his first season with the Texans after being traded from Arizona for DeAndre Hopkins, managed 34 yards rushing on Sunday. Houston finished with 51 yards rushing in a game in which they played without backup running back Duke Johnson, who sat out with an ankle injury. “It’s a massive, massive key to the game,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year also hit Jackson three other times and batted down one of his passes in the fourth quarter.

HOUSTON – The Baltimore Ravens' multifaceted rushing attack, which led the NFL last year by nearly 1,000 yards, was slow to get going in the first half against the Houston Texans. Mark Ingram, quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens pounded away at Houston after halftime and ran away with a 33-16 victory. The Ravens built a 20-10 halftime lead with the help of a fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter by L.J. The Ravens were up 3-0 when Houston went for it on fourth-and-1 from its 34 late in the first quarter. The Texans cut the lead to three when Watson connected with Darren Fells on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) crosses the goal line for a touchdown on an 84-yard play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)PITTSBURGH – A game seemingly in hand suddenly on the cusp of slipping away, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn't overthink things. Needing a stop to turn back the surprisingly resilient Denver Broncos, the Steelers dialed up one final blitz in an afternoon filled with them. So the Broncos (0-2) hung around despite losing starting quarterback Drew Lock (right shoulder) in the first quarter. The Steelers recovered and went downfield for a touchdown while Lock was in the blue medical tent getting evaluated. Still, he wasn't exactly thrilled on a day the Steelers never trailed but struggled to put the Broncos away.

HOUSTON – Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson was torn when asked if he enjoys matchups such as Sunday’s against the Houston Texans and fellow talented and mobile quarterback Deshaun Watson. Ravens coach John Harbaugh agreed with his quarterback and raved about Watson. The Ravens easily handled Cleveland 38-6 in their opener last week behind three touchdown passes from Jackson. Houston star defensive end J.J. Watt said he can’t remember a time he played a game at any level without a crowd. Even though Baltimore held the Texans to a single touchdown last year, Harbaugh knows the Texans can ring up points through the air.

Fans watch the Kansas City Chiefs during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.

HOUSTON Nothing J.J. Watt does surprises Houston Texans coach Bill OBrien anymore. He chased the ball about 60 yards down the field and tried to punch it out of the receivers hands.So surprised? Watt is entering his 10th NFL season and is looking for a big year after playing just one full season in the past four because of various injuries. No, I dont think so.Watt missed eight games last season after tearing a pectoral muscle in October but returned for the playoffs. And as the Texans look for young players on the roster to step up this season, Watt is trying to hone his skills as a teacher to try and help them along.

Now the quarterback is focused on doing the same thing in the NFL with the Houston Texans. I won a state championship, I won a national championship, so of course Im trying to get a Super Bowl, he said. Im trying to ... be legendary. STARTING THINGS OFFThe Texans will get an early rematch with the Chiefs when they visit Kansas City on Sept. 10 to kick off the NFL season. They can help this team, help especially this offense, take it to a whole other level.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Smith was hospitalized for almost a month after the incident, had the leg stabilized with a giant brace and knew he had a long road ahead in rehab. Lying in the hospital bed and in the ensuing months after, Smith doubted his ability to return, especially as a player in his mid-30s. I was really excited for him," said New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who used to train with Smith in San Diego. The two have had conversations about this comeback path, and Rivera told Smith: The biggest thing is, you have to be able to protect yourself. Once he progresses to full, 11-on-11 football practice, the biggest hurdle remaining is him getting hit really hit like he was by Kareem Jackson and J.J. Watt on Nov. 18, 2018.

HOUSTON TEXANS (11-7)CAMP SITE: HoustonLAST YEAR: Won AFC South for second straight year and fourth time in five seasons behind strong play of quarterback Deshaun Watson. IMPORTANT LOSSES: WR DeAndre Hopkins, RBs Carlos Hyde and Lamar Miller, CB Johnathan Joseph, NT D.J. PANDEMIC CHALLENGES: Texans must navigate getting players back to camp and keeping them safe in city that has emerged as hotspot for coronavirus. Watson must integrate Johnson into offense and adjust to new-look of unit without Hopkins. It will be tall task without Hopkins, who has carried offense for years, but Texans could still be dangerous team behind Watson and with defense featuring J.J. Watt.

LOS ANGELES NFL star J.J. Watt, NBA player Chris Paul and country singer Brad Paisley will appear in an Amazon series that highlights everyday people who are supporting their community during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul will make a guest appearance on the fifth episode of Regular Heroes on Friday. He has been outspoken on social issues and vocal during the pandemic as the president of the NBA players union president. Paisley and Watt are expected to take part in separate episodes the following two weeks of the docuseries. Paisley and his wife opened a free grocery store that has made deliveries to older adults in Nashville during the pandemic.