Cardinals Open Practice Window For J.J. Watt

The improbable return of defensive end J.J. Watt took another step Friday morning when the Cardinals designated him to return from Injured Reserve, opening a 21-day practice window for the veteran.

Watt can be activated to the 53-man roster anytime in the next three weeks.

Watt has been out since tearing up his shoulder against the Texans Oct. 24. At the time, it was potentially season-ending, but the Cardinals never closed the door on a Watt return and Watt has been mostly silent on the subject, save for an interview with a young Houston YouTube journalist.

In that interview, Watt said he was originally told it would be a four-to-six month injury.

“I’m sitting there and I can easily pout and easily say, ‘Woe is me, four-to-six months, I’ll do what I have to do,’ ” Watt said. “But instead I said, ‘Nah, I’m not going to accept that.’ “

The Cardinals also elevated cornerback Kevin Peterson to the roster from the practice squad as a Covid replacement.

More to come on azcardinals.com.