Texans star JJ Watt has back surgery

Houston Texans defensive end J.J.

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt has undergone a back surgery and could be in doubt for the Houston Texans’ season opener, the National Football League reported Thursday on its website.

The nature of Watt’s most recent surgical procedure wasn’t immediately clear, but he’s expected to be ready to play in time for Houston’s September 11 regular season opener.

The timing of Watt’s surgery is poor.

Although the latest update on Watt’s health isn’t encouraging, he’s a gamer who could be ready to roll by Week 1.

Last season, Watt played with a broken hand, a herniated disk, and started rehabbing in January for five torn core-area muscles.

Watt has not missed a game since being drafted in the first round in 2011.

Despite those severe ailments, Watt posted gaudy numbers en route to capturing his third Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year nod since 2012.

Information from ESPN’s Tania Ganguli was used in this report.