Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt is making steady progress as he recuperates from back surgery to repair a herniated disc.
There are scenarios where the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year may not be ready for the start of the season, but the Texans aren't ruling out the possibility that Watt could return in time for their Sept. 11 season-opener against the Chicago Bears.
Watt acknowledged at the start of camp that he's not a lock for the first game. Watt has never missed a game in his NFL career
"J.J. Watt obviously will not be back this week, but he's making a lot of progress in his rehab," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said of Watt, whose stitches from the surgery have been removed and is now working out on a specialized treadmill.