NFL: JJ Watt to play for Arizona Cardinals against Carolina Panthers despite heart scare
Arizona Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt will play in Sunday’s NFL game against the Carolina Panthers despite suffering a heart scare this week.
Watt, 33, revealed on Twitter that he went into ‘A-fib’ – an irregular, often rapid heart arrythmia – on Wednesday.
“I had my heart shocked back into rhythm on Thursday and I’m playing today. That’s it,” added the three-time NFL defensive player of the year.
Watt is in his second year at Arizona after joining from the Houston Texans.
He was listed as absent with a “calf/illness” problem on the Cardinals’ injury report after missing the team’s practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
- NFL and NFLPA say changes to concussion protocol needed
- Vikings beat Saints 28-25 in Tottenham thriller
In his tweet, Watt said he had only publicly disclosed the issue because he believed information about his condition had been leaked.
A-fib is the shortened name for atrial fibrillation – a disease of the heart’s chambers often characterised by a faster heartbeat.
The Cardinals, who have lost two of their opening three games of the season, play the Carolina Panthers at 21:05 BST on Sunday.
- Get American Football alerts in the BBC Sport app
- NFL fixtures and results
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/63111320?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA
