Cardinals’ J.J. Watt tests positive for COVID-19, to miss rest of preseason

The Arizona Cardinals will be without defensive lineman J.J. Watt for the remainder of the preseason after he tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Sunday.

The Cardinals host the Baltimore Ravens at 5 p.m. on Sunday then wrap up their preseason next week with a trip to Tennessee, which includes joint practices with the Titans.

Watt becomes the third player to test positive for COVID during Cardinals’ camp, joining quarterback Kyler Murray and recently-cut defensive lineman Kingsley Keke.

Despite now being sidelined, Watt appears to continue to have his sense of humor.

I think the snake brought it in the house… https://t.co/4pcOVKRKLh

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 21, 2022

It’s unsure whether the veteran lineman would have suited up in any preseason games ahead of Arizona’s regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 11.

Watt is entering his second season with Arizona after signing as a free agent last offseason. The five-time All-Pro was everything the Cardinals needed him to be for six weeks to start 2021 before he suffered a regular season-ending shoulder injury in Week 7.

The veteran muscled his way back on the field for the Cardinals’ playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Watt amassed 10 quarterback hits and five tackles for loss in seven games, and he appeared to be getting stronger and stronger as the weeks went by.

In his final full game before the injury in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, Watt picked up a sack and two quarterback hits to help the Cardinals win 37-14.

Arizona will rely on him in 2022, his 12th NFL season. With a younger defense and without edge rusher Chandler Jones, Watt will garner a lot of attention from opposing offenses.

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