PHOENIX — As if he rose straight from the Lazarus pit itself, J.J. Watt is making his return back to the field. Okay, all Batman references aside, Cardinals fans are ready to welcome him back.
The Arizona Cardinals announced the return of the star defensive lineman Friday morning. Watt has been designated to return from the injured reserve list and can begin practicing and the team can activate him to the 53-man roster at any time during the next 21 days.
Watt injured his shoulder earlier this season and many believed he could miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. A return was never fully off the table, but his return to the Cardinals defense was made official ahead of the final regular-season game against the Seattle Seahawks.
There was no immediate word on whether Watt will play in the Cardinals' Week 18 matchup. But judging by Watt's latest tweet, he's itching to get back to the action.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
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