J.J. Watt ruled out for the rest of the season

The Texans announced the three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been shut down after undergoing back surgery on a herniated disc.

Watt was placed on the injured reserve on Wednesday with hopes that he would be able to return after eight weeks and before the postseason. However, that possibility has now been ruled out.

He had surgery in July to aid the herniated disc and missed training camp and most of Houston's preseason schedule, but returned to start in the opening game of the campaign despite a 10-week recovery timeframe.

The early return might have been too much for Watt, who likely re-injured his back in the Texans' 27-0 loss to the New England Patriots on September 22.