What happened to Will Anderson Jr.? Texans Defensive Player of the Month suffers injury vs Jets

The Texans dominated the first half against the Jets on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, but Will Anderson Jr. suffered an injury that left a bitter taste for Houston fans. The defender was recently named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month in a conference that contains luminaries like Chris Jones and T.J. Watt.

On Thursday, Anderson Jr. was hurt on an innocuous-looking play when the Jets ran a rush play. As he tried to chase down the running back, one of his teammates tripped and fell on his left lower leg. He was immediately in pain and was hobbling as he went to the medical tent.

The pass rusher's importance was highlighted when the Texans did not give up on him even after he had been inside the blue tent for more than eight minutes. He re-emerged with his leg heavily taped up but put on his helmet and got back on the field.

It was clear, though, that he was not a hundred percent, and it was confirmed when he did not return with the rest of the team and take the field for the second half. He was eventually ruled questionable to return.

Will Anderson Jr.'s absence immediately clear in second half as Jets get going against Texans

Will Anderson Jr.'s honor as the Defensive Player of the Month was well-deserved as he recorded five sacks in the last three games. He could not add to that tally on Thursday, but he was a disruptive opponent when he was in during the first half. Aaron Rodgers had less than 35 yards passing and completed just 50 percent of his passes in the opening two quarters.

However, when he could not return for the second half, the Jets got going. They established the run game and that allowed Rodgers some relief in his passing game. He threw two touchdown passes so that by the beginning of the fourth quarter, New York was up 14-10 after not scoring at all in the first half.

Now, the concern for the Texans would be how soon Anderson Jr. can return and if he is facing any extended duration on the sidelines. The fact that he could come back to the game initially is a positive sign, with the hope that playing through the pain has not reaggravated any damage that was initially done. Anderson Jr. is crucial to their defensive success as this game proved.