CLEVELAND (AP) – Houston’s J.J. Watt is becoming an offensive threat, too.
The defensive star caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday, making Watt the first defensive lineman since 1948 to score four touchdowns in a season.
Watt, who came into the game with three TDs – one on offense, and two on defense – grabbed his TD pass from Ryan Mallett after lining as a receiver on a first-and-goal play. The completion gave Mallett, making his first NFL start, his first TD and put the Texans ahead 7-0.
Watt lined up on the left side and the 6-foot-5, 290-pounder hauled in Mallett’s first career TD pass on a fade into the end zone. Watt made the lunging grab over rookie linebacker Chris Kirksey and was able to get his knee down inbounds.
Watt scored on a 1-yard TD pass earlier this season against Oakland. He also has an 80-yard interception return against Buffalo and a 45-yard fumble return against Indianapolis.
Moments after the sack, Watt stripped Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer on a sack. Hoyer was able to recover the fumble.
No NFL defensive lineman had scored four TDs in a season since Ray Poole (Giants) and Jack Zilly (Rams) both did it 66 years ago.
In the second quarter, Watt, who always seems to be everywhere on the field, nearly blocked a punt but was called for roughing Cleveland’s Spencer Lanning.
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