FLOWERY BRANCH —
Texans pass-rushing star J.J. Watt declared this week that Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews is “worthy of the praise” he’s getting in his second season. Watt himself praised Matthews during the Falcons-Texans joint practices last summer, a moment that was captured by HBO’s “Hard Knocks” television cameras, before Watt dominated Matthews during some pass-blocking drills.
Matthews will get another shot at Watt when the Falcons and Texans play on Sunday at the Georgia Dome. Matthews was at right tackle for the practices last summer, meaning he was on Watt’s side most of the time.