NFL PLAYER NEWS

Texans’ Watson runs for first time since tearing ACL

The Sports Xchange

February 06, 2018 at 1:20 pm.

Oct 15, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the football during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 15, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the football during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson posted a video over social media of him running on a treadmill for the first time since sustaining a season-ending torn ACL injury.

The Instagram video showed Watson’s jog on an anti-gravity treadmill on Monday with the following caption:

“Officially day 1 of the 2018 NFL season today.. and today is officially my first day back running! Crazy how God works!”

The Texans’ season spiraled down the drain after Watson sustained the injury on a non-contact play in practice on Nov. 2. Prior to the injury, Watson threw for 1,699 yards with 19 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 103.0 passer rating. He added 269 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Houston (4-12) lost eight of its final nine games without Watson, who is expected to return in some capacity for the Texans’ organized team activities that span from mid-April until mid-June.

The 22-year-old initially was handed an eight-to-nine-month timeline for his rehab from his November surgery, which would have him set for training camp.

Watson tore the ACL in his left knee at Clemson, but went on to become the 12th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He had thrown 16 touchdown passes in October alone, breaking Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino’s 1983 NFL rookie record for most TD passes in a calendar month.

Watson was named NFL Offensive Player of the Month and AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month for October, when he had 1,171 yards passing and 145 yards rushing on 21 attempts with a touchdown.