JJ Watt had back surgery, expected to be ready for season

Watt had the surgery to fix a herniated disc, according to one report. Rapoport added that a recovery time of eight weeks is the best-case scenario, and since the surgery happened so recently, it puts Watt right up against the opening weekend kickoff.

Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt could miss up to ten weeks after undergoing surgery to fix a herniated disc on Thursday.

It’s Watt’s second surgery on his back in the last six months and according to Ganguli, he and the team are optimistic he’ll be ready to play in the season opener. He has never missed a regular-season game.

The Texans kick off their season in eight weeks, on September 11 at home against the Chicago Bears.

Watt has undergone back surgery which will place him on the physically unable to perform list when training camp arrives.

As things stand, Watt will start camp on the preseason PUP list.

Regardless of how long he’ll miss, news of Watt’s injury is the first example of the reality that, despite what anyone predicts about the coming season, injuries will happen – and they potentially will change everything. In 2015 Watt suffered through five different core muscle tears as well as a broken hand. He’s proven over the years to be a tough player who can play through injuries.

The 27-year old Watt enters his sixth National Football League season with 371 career tackles, 74.5 sacks and one interception.