Losing J.J. Watt (99) for any length of time would be a blow to the Texans. Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt underwent back surgery this week and is expected to be on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list when the team starts training camp July 31.
The news was first reported by John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, then confirmed by other media outlets.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the expected recovery time for the operation is six to eight weeks, while NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo said the timeframe could be up to 10 weeks.
The Texans kick off their season in eight weeks, on Sept. 11 at home against the Chicago Bears.
Watt has never missed a regular-season game, but he missed 2012 preseason because of an elbow injury. He won his first NFL Defensive Player of Year award that year. Last year, he sat out the preseason as a preventative measure.
Watt dealt with a number of injuries in 2015, including a herniated disk, a broken hand, a groin tear, and three adductor and two abdominal muscles tears. He had surgery abdominal surgery in January.
Despite those injuries, Watt won his third defensive player of the year award after recording 17.5 sacks last season.
