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NFL News and Notes: Texans May Get Lift For Playoffs

It is Week 16 of the NFL season, meaning that it is do or die for some of the teams that are fighting for playoff positioning, particularly those in the Wild Card races. While teams are trying to secure their playoff lives on the field, let’s take a look at some of the news off the field from around the league this week:

Watt Likely To Return For Playoffs

It appears that even a torn pectoral muscle can’t hold JJ Watt down. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Watt is expected to return this season. Given that the Texans clinched the AFC South with their win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, Watt is planning to return for their opening-round game in the playoffs.

Watt played in eight games this season before going on injured reserve with the thought that his season was finished. In that time, he had 24 tackles, four sacks and 20 quarterback hits. With Houston already being a dynamic team on offense, it appears they will be that much tougher on the defensive side in the playoffs with Watt back in the mix.

Chiefs Land Linebacker Suggs

After being released by the Arizona Cardinals, the popular belief was linebacker Terrell Suggs wouldn’t play for anyone but the only other organization that he had ever played for, the Baltimore Ravens. After being claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs, it appears he has reconsidered.

The likely future Hall of Famer will be bringing his talents to the Chiefs and will help a defense that is a little thin at the position. Most of the teams in contention (Saints, Seahawks, 49ers, etc.) put in for him, but it is the Chiefs who got the claim due to the waiver-wire order. On the year, Suggs has 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The Chiefs hope that the 37-year-old can keep up the same level of production.

Winston Likely To Return To Tampa Bay

Also according to Rapoport, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be bringing back Jameis Winston next season. Winston has remained frustrating, as he can put up gaudy numbers offensively but also has a knack for turning the ball over.

In fact, coming into Saturday’s matchup with the Texans, he had thrown for 4,573 yards and 30 touchdowns in 14 games but also had 24 interceptions. This was even further evident in Saturday’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans, as he went 25 for 48 for 335 yards, a touchdown and a whopping four interceptions.

Still, when on, he can light up a scoreboard, and it appears he will do so for at least one more year for Bruce Arians and Tampa Bay. The real question is how, as no extension has been signed, meaning the Buccaneers would either have to franchise or transition tag him.

Coughlin Fired By Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had another frustrating season, and it appears that changes are coming. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, the team has fired executive vice president Tom Coughlin.

Coughlin, who was long known for his coaching tenures with both Jacksonville and the New York Giants, was in his third season. Unfortunately, though, Coughlin did not find much success and actually saw a lot of push back while in his role.

In fact, he dealt with several player union grievances against him and the organization. Needless to say, his tenure as vice president was a tumultuous one, and it might be time for the 73-year-old to hang it up altogether.

Lions Active In The News

It was pretty much a foregone conclusion, given that the team was out of playoff contention, but earlier this week, the Lions officially put Matthew Stafford on injured reserve. It is the end of an unfortunate season for Stafford.

After having played in 16 games a season since 2011, he finishes the season only playing eight games this year. In those games, Stafford threw for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He will look to get back to full strength this offseason and be back under center next year.

While the Lions ended Stafford’s season, they have decided to restart another player’s season, activating running back Kerryon Johnson off of injured reserve. The Lions’ top running back has been out of action since Week 7 due to a knee injury, but, after having practiced for a few weeks, he will be suiting up for the Lions this weekend.

In just six games this year, Johnson has rushed 92 times for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He also had nine receptions for 126 yards and another score.

Still, in two years, he has played in just 16 games, and the Lions would love to see some consistency health-wise out of their starting running back. Finishing these last two weeks strong could be a good start.

In other Lions news, the team will be bringing back both head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. Owner Martha Ford confirmed the commitment to the two this week despite what has been a struggling season, going 3-10-1 heading into Week 16.

Still, the Lions are standing behind their guys, but it will be interesting to see how their futures unfold if next year ends up being another disappointing season.

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