Who is the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year with Watt sidelined?

J.J. Watt's back injury created a void not only for the Houston Texans, but the league as a whole. The Texans placed Watt on injured reserve Wednesday and will be forced to miss eight weeks as a result.

Watt, who was chasing a record fourth Defensive Player of the Year Award, will almost certainly be eliminated from contention as a result.

Here is a list of players that will lead the race now that Watt's sidelined:

Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos

Von Miller would've been the presumptive favorite even if Watt was playing, as the reigning Super Bowl MVP is in better form than any other defender at the moment by a sizable margin. Miller leads the NFL with five sacks and is rated as the top edge defender in the league by Pro Football Focus. Many teams are learning the hard way that it's a fatal idea to block Miller with one man.

Denver's defense continues to be otherworldly, and Miller is at the forefront for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Marcus Peters leads the NFL with four interceptions and is proving to be as opportunistic as any cornerback in the league. Peters also displays excellent technique and the second-year pro rounded out his game in the offseason so that he's no longer considered a premier ball-hawk. The 23-year-old's penchant for creating turnovers in key situations may elevate him at the top of the list come voting season.

Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals

Patrick Peterson is arguably the NFL's premier cornerback, and despite his team's 1-2 record, he's entered the year in peak form. The five-time Pro Bowler's closing speed and ability to lockdown premier wide receivers is rivaled by few, and he continues to take away one side of the field. If the qualitative argument isn't convincing enough, this play may do it:

Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers

Luke Kuechly is the NFL's most complete defender, sporting the fewest weaknesses in his arsenal. Kuechly graded out as the top coverage defender in the NFL last season by Pro Football Focus and is once again rated as the top linebacker in the league by the scouting service. The 25-year-old is a superior run defender and is able to dissect plays at the line of scrimmage better than any player in the league. Kuechly won the hardware in 2013 and should remain in contention for the award throughout the decade.

Jamie Collins, LB, New England Patriots

If Kuechly is the NFL's premier linebacker, then Collins is a close second. Collins recorded two interceptions through the Patriots' first three games and is proving to be a one-man wrecking ball for the AFC East juggernaut. The outside linebacker can line up on the outside as a de facto cornerback if need be, and displays outstanding sideline-to-sideline range. Collins is the Patriots' best defensive player and will be expected to lead the team deep into the postseason once again.

Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings

Harrison Smith is the commander of a Vikings' defense that's terrorized the league through three games, and is perpetually in the conversation for the title of the NFL's best safety. Smith is an outstanding run defender for his position, and, his footwork, ball skills, and closing speed makes him a prototypical free safety in the modern era. If the Vikings continue to excel without Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater, Smith should be a serious candidate for the award.