(Reuters) - Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt once again lived up to his ironman image when he said he planned to play in Sunday's home game against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots despite a broken hand.
The reigning defensive player of the year did not practice with the team on Thursday, and instead worked with trainers on the side field wearing a cast on his left hand.
"I broke my hand in practice and will play in the game Sunday," Watt, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has started 76 consecutive games since making his National Football League debut in 2011, told reporters.