At this point, its probably just a matter of how many first team reps he's taken... and his overall stamina. He should be well healed from the surgery. Muscle re-attached to bone, its not going anywhere.
I see us winning this game with Malet at the helm. Plus, watch our defense step it up a notch...even JJ.
Catching a huge break here. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Panthers LB Luke Kuechly is doubtful for Sunday's game against Texans</p>— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjones9/status/644919328576536577">September 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>O'Brien on whether or not J.J. Watt will be a 3rd TE on Sunday: "Now THAT you'll have to wait till Sunday to find out." <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#DropsMic">#DropsMic</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/status/644926510399225856" data-datetime="2015-09-18T17:30:36+00:00">September 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Maybe the whole quarterback controversy was to distract people from thinking about Watt as the third tight end. After all, Watt is historically Mallett's (tied) favorite touchdown target. I would think you wouldn't risk injury, though. Watt is such a mismatch, though, that it'd be insanely awesome to see him playing tight end in the open field. Who do you cover him with? A linebacker may be too slow. A safety may be able to keep up with him, but it's hard to see a safety or a corner bringing him down one on one. Plus he's taller than anyone who would defend him, and he's got hops.
Like you said it's too much of an injury risk to have Watt playing TE in the middle of the field taking hits. The good thing about Watt playing endzone TE is you typically can't hit a guy after he already scored.
Give those red zone looks to Hopkins. The guy can jump and catch with the best of them. JJ should just focus on sacking the qb.
BIG. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash">#Panthers</a> LB Luke Kuechly has been downgraded to out (concussion) for Sunday's game vs. Houston. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOUvsCAR?src=hash">#HOUvsCAR</a></p>— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/645257703913353217">September 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Panthers losing their best defensive player should help the run game and give our patchwork O line a bit of a break.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cardinals cut Joseph Fauira, promote Kerwyn Williams</p>— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/645306923051544576">September 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> I'd pick this guy up and give him a shot as 3rd TE
It's awesome seeing Watt play TE, but I don't really want him doing any more than goal line stuff, and even then I'm worried about him getting hurt. Adding Fauria would give us another 6'7 passing target. I mean, he had 7 TD's his rookie year in Jim Schwartz's system but he didn't really work in Jim Caldwell's system. Since he's essentially free, why not give it a shot?
