Texans’ J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery; could miss opening game

The team hasn’t confirmed the surgery or roster status.

Hardy had a tumultuous season in Dallas, one that started with a four-game suspension related to his domestic violence case in North Carolina and included several disruptions that included a physical confrontation with an assistant coach.

Watt, who wasn’t expected to play in the upcoming preseason, anyway, suffered an elbow injury in 2012 and didn’t play in a preseason game.

The Texans haven’t disclosed if Watt suffered a herniated disk recently or if the surgery came after therapy didn’t improve his condition that began during the season.

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.

Losing J.J. Watt (99) for any length of time would be a blow to the Texans.

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt has undergone back surgery and could be in doubt for the Houston Texans’ season opener.

The Chiefs play the Texans on September 18.

Watt will be placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp.

Watt spent most of the off-season recovering after having surgery to fix a groin injury in January. That’s more than any other player during that same time frame.