J.J. Watt activated from PUP list ahead of Texans’ season opener

Signs are pointing toward J.J. Watt being ready for the season opener against the Bears.

The Houston Texans activated defensive end J.J. Watt from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday, lining him up for Week 1 action next Sunday.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien was optimistic about Watt's return to the Texans' roster ahead of the team's season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11, he told reporters Friday.

“I would say we're heading in the right direction," O'Brien said. "He certainly feels much better, obviously than he did two weeks ago ... I know that it looks decent for him to be able to play in the first game.”

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Watt underwent back surgery in late July to repair a herniated disk that caused him to leave the Texans' AFC Wild Card game, which the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. He opened training camp on the PUP list.

The Texans are coming off a 9–7 season and bring in quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller, notably.