The vision general manager Rick Smith always held of the Texans' roster was one headlined by the dominant presence of star defensive end J.J. Watt.
The loss of Watt, though, after a second microdiscectomy surgical procedure to repair a herniated disk has forced the defending AFC South champions to adjust on the fly without the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Life without Watt began for the Texans on Sunday during a 27-20 win Sunday over the Tennessee Titans in which pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney stepped in for the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year at left defensive end and sacked quarterback Marcus Mariota once and hit him twice.