J.J. Watt could practice next week

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt could be back before expected from back surgery.

Houston Texans fans are getting a possible sigh of relief. It appears J.J. Watt could start practicing as early as next week, according to Pro Football Talk. On Wednesday, the popular defensive end posted a picture on Twitter along with a caption that read, “Soon.” It’s a change of view, given that he wasn’t expected back until late September or early October.

After watt has offseason back surgery, it widely assumed that the First-Team All-Pro and reigning Defensive Player of the Year would miss at least two weeeks. Head coach Bill O’Brien spoke with the media this week, and said he thought Watt would be back “sooner than later.” This is much-needed news for a Texans team that is dealing with a few injuries to kick off the 2016 season. Houston is already without rookie center Nick Martin, who needed season-ending surgery following a high ankle sprain.

If Watt does manage to return earlier than planned, he will likely face a very limited snap schedule. The Texans will begin the regular season on September 11 at NRG Stadium against the Chicago Bears, dealing with an offense headlined by Alshon Jeffery and Jay Cutler. The following week will see a familiar foe in the Kansas City Chiefs, who beat Houston 30-0 in the AFC Wild Card round last season.

The 27-year old is entering his fifth season, after being the 11th-overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Last season, Watt tallied 17.5 sacks and added a fumble recovery to his resumè.

Without Watt, the Texans would be without their best player and perhaps the top pass-rusher in the league. The front seven would only have one legitimate pass-rushing threat in the person of Whitney Mercilus, who amassed 12 in his breakout campaign of 2015.