Texans star J.J. Watt was significantly limited by his broken hand and is likely to be strapped by the injury again this Sunday as Houston faces the Colts for first place in the AFC South.
Patriots coaches did not know what to expect from Watt when scheming for the Texans last Sunday after he broke his hand earlier in the week, but came away believing the injury greatly limited the game-breaker's ability to get to the quarterback.
If Watt is forced to play with the same apparatus as last week, or anything close to it, it will impact his ability to function close to normal and could alter how the Colts have to defend him as well. Through the course of last week's game it became apparent to the Patriots he was not the same player, and it allowed them to alter some protection schemes and breathe a little easier about Tom Brady's health.
"He really only had one hand," as one Pats staffer put it. "He couldn't really pull or tug and that's where he gains his advantage. He couldn't really get his arm over for that move. He was very limited. No doubt about it. He couldn't really use that hand."
The Colts contained Watt much better than most would have expected in their first meeting, and right tackle Joe Reitz was often able to neutralize the All-Pro without needing substantial additional help. Given Watt's current plight, perhaps things might go in Indy's favor in that regard in the rematch.
Watt was oncee again a transcendent player during Houston's improbable run of four straight wins to pull back in the AFC South race, and a central figure in the club's success, but having him at below full strength -- at a time when bookend Jadeveon Clowney is also battling injuries -- could be a potentially huge factor in determining its ability to unseat the Colts for the division crown.
![J.J. Watt's injury has severely limited his game-changing ability. (USATSI)](https://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/640Watt121915.jpg)