Former Texan J.J. Watt Sounds Off on Denzel Perryman Suspension

Originally posted on FanNation Texans Daily
By John Macon Gillespie | Last updated 11/14/23

J.J. Watt may no longer play in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he can't share his opinions on the state of the league, and he did so on Tuesday.

Watt, a former Houston Texan, sounded off on the suspension of a current Texan, linebacker Denzel Perryman, who was cited for "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players" on Tuesday.

Perryman sustained his seventh violation during the Texans' 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and Watt seems puzzled by the logic from the league office on the suspension.

“'Six violations throughout his career,'" Watt posted on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. “He’s played in the league for 8 years! 6 penalties in 102 games means you deserve to be suspended 3 games without pay?”

The league cited Perryman's hit on Sunday in his notice of suspension.

"With 4:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, you were involved in a play that the league considers a serious violation of the playing rules," the statement reads. "You lowered your head and delivered a forcible blow to the shoulder and then the head/neck area of the receiver. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent, and the illegal contact could have been avoided."

On one hand, it stings for the Texans to lose their starting middle linebacker for the upcoming three-game homestand, but having a league celebrity like Watt in his corner could provide some salve to the wound for Perryman as he is relegated to the sidelines for the time being.

Perryman will miss this weekend's game against the Arizona Cardinals followed by games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos. He will be allowed to return to play in the Texans' Week 14 matchup against the New York Jets.

This season, Perryman has played in six games for the Texans, recording 41 tackles, 25 solo hits, one quarterback hit, and 0.5 sacks.

This article first appeared on FanNation Texans Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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