J.J. Watt Injury: Updates on Texans Star's Recovery from Back Surgery

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt had back surgery for a herniated disk July 20. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Watt Active vs. Bears

Sunday, Sept. 11

Watt was not listed among Houston's inactives for the matchup with Chicago. On Friday, head coach Bill O'Brien announced Watt was "ready to go" for Week 1, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

On Sept. 6, Ed Werder of ESPN, citing two people within the Texans, reported that Watt will play but that his number of snaps and role have yet to be determined.

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Latest on Watt's Practice Status

Friday, Sept. 9

The team announced Watt was a full participant at practice on Friday.

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Watt Comments on Recovery Process After Surgery

Wednesday, Sept. 7

Watt told ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop he contemplated never playing again after undergoing surgery during the offseason.

"When I was in Philadelphia after the first surgery, there were some days there where I really questioned whether or not I'd ever be able to play again," Watt said. "Just some of the stuff we were dealing with from a rehab standpoint. And just the way that the recovery was going early on."

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Watt Activated from PUP List

Saturday, Sept. 3

The Texans announced the roster move for Watt ahead of the start of the regular season.

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Watt Releases Letter to Fans

Sunday, July 24

"As I sit here, recovering from back surgery, the doctors won't really let me do much, so I end up just pacing around my house all day," Watt said in a handwritten message he posted to Twitter.

Watt added:

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I've spent a lot of my time reading through the notes and letters that y'all have sent to me and trying to respond to as many as I can. I know I won't be able to respond directly to everyone, so I wanted to write one note to all of you to say thank you. You make our jobs possible. You make them fun and you make difficult times like these much easier. So thank you, I truly appreciate you. See you on the field very soon.

"

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Watt Looking for Healthy Year After Injury-Riddled 2015

Watt underwent sports hernia surgery in January after he reportedly played through some serious injuries toward the end of the 2015 season.

According to ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli, "Watt had five partially or fully torn muscles in his torso, groin and upper legs, necessitating surgical repair on both sides of his body." Specifically, Ganguli reported that Watt "had a partially torn right adductor longus, a fully torn left adductor longus and a fully torn left adductor pectineus in his inner thighs and groin."

Despite those severe ailments, Watt posted gaudy numbers en route to capturing his third Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year nod since 2012. All told, Watt tallied 76 tackles, a league-leading 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and eight passes defensed to help the Texans clinch an AFC South title.