Cardinals GM: 'There is a possibility' Watt returns this season

Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim believes the NFL may not have seen the last of J.J. Watt this season.

Keim said Friday he's not ruling out Watt for the year. The defensive lineman was reportedly set for season-ending surgery after tearing his labrum, bicep, and rotator cuff in addition to dislocating his shoulder.

"I know surgery is an option, but at the same time I think there are some things that are possibly put in place where we want to play this thing out with a little bit more time and see how he responds," Keim said on the "Burns and Gambo" show, according to team reporter Darren Urban. "To me, if there is anybody who can bounce back and can do it, it's J.J. Watt.

"As far as I know, there is a possibility (of a return)," Keim added. "I don't want to rule that out yet."

Watt was in the midst of his first campaign with the Cardinals after inking a two-year, $28-million contract last offseason. He recorded just one sack through seven games, though he also accumulated 10 quarterback hits.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been limited by injuries in recent years, playing in just 48 out of a possible 80 games from 2016-20.

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