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          NFL Nation

          Deshaun Watson threw more TD passes than 8 starting QBs -- in seven games

          Texans rookie Deshaun Watson passed for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns in just seven games. AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterJan 3, 2018, 12:00 PM
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              Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated. You can follow her on Twitter @sarahbarshop.
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          HOUSTON -- When Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his ACL in early November, he was not only setting rookie quarterback records, but he was tied for the most passing touchdowns in the NFL.

          Watson only played in seven games after he took over for Tom Savage at halftime of the season opener, but threw for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns. Watson is tied with three other starting quarterbacks with 19 passing touchdowns -- Eli Manning, Jay Cutler and Jameis Winston -- even though he only played in seven games.

          Watson had 17 completions of 20 or more air yards this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That is more than 10 other starting quarterbacks: Tyrod Taylor, Cam Newton, Winston, Blake Bortles, Dak Prescott, Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton and Manning.

          Watson's completion percentage on those throws was 43 percent (17-40; the other 10 quarterbacks combined had a completion percentage of 29 percent of those throws (143-487).

          Watson also had seven touchdown passes of 20 yards or more this season, which is more than Tom Brady (6), Case Keenum (6), Manning (5), Matt Ryan (5), Flacco (5), Jared Goff (5), Taylor (3) and Bortles (3).

          And although Watson had an excellent start to his rookie season before it was cut short by injury, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said he has already seen Watson put the work in to rehab and improve for next season. O'Brien said Watson's recovery is going so well that he could play a part in the team's offseason activities.

          "He's an exciting player," O'Brien said. "He's an even better person off the field. He's just a very coachable guy, eager to learn, eager to get better. He's got great poise on the field. We're all excited about his future."

          Added general manager Rick Smith: "I think the sky's the limit for the young man."

          Watson has spent the second half of the season in the training room, along with many other Texans starters, including defensive end J.J. Watt. The veteran said based on what he saw last season, he has confidence the team can turn around the 4-12 season and be a playoff team in 2018.

          "We have won a few division titles with like 15 different quarterbacks, so if we have one quarterback who is back there who can play the way that he plays, who has the potential and has the abilities he has, of course [it gives me confidence]," Watt said. "I think he has great potential. We are really excited to see what he can do with a full season. I'm definitely excited to have a franchise quarterback."