J.J. Watt could be in uniform when the Houston Texans open the season Sept. 11 versus the Chicago Bears.
Coach Bill O'Brien told reporters that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is pointing in the right direction for Week 1.
"We are headed in the right direction with him," O'Brien said. "It looks decent for him to be able to play in the first game."
O'Brien's optimism comes two weeks after the coach said it was uncertain if Watt would be available for the first two regular-season contests.
Watt underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in July. He entered the offseason after missing the end of Houston's playoff loss due to injury. Last season, Watt played through a handful of core muscle injuries.
With O'Brien's positive statement about Watt's progress, we'd be surprised at this point if the transcendent defensive player wasn't in the lineup Week 1. Even if he's not 100-percent Watt, getting the game-wrecker on the field in any capacity is substantial. With Jadeveon Clowney looking poised to finally break out, the Texans will unleash a swarming defense to open 2016.
