J.J. Watt is steadily getting better.
"I'm eager to get out to practice every day because I know that every rep I take is so important, especially right now," the defensive end said Wednesday. "Even in practice today, I mean just each rep I take I feel stronger, I feel better. You get your eyes back. You get everything back."
Watt had back surgery just before training camp, and didn't practice or play with his teammates in August. He was cleared physically during Labor Day weekend, and then played 88 percent of the snaps on Sunday against Chicago.
Watt emphasized that his mind isn't yet on what will happen in the game versus Kansas City this weekend. It's more about what he'll do in Thursday's practice.
Watt's head coach is optimistic about how the 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will play against the Chiefs.
"He got more into what was going on in the game and got more up to the speed of the game," Bill O'Brien said. "I think you'll see him really come out and play well on Sunday."
Watt mentioned after the win over the Bears that he shook some "rust" off as the game progressed. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid dismissed any talk of Watt and rust.
"He looked pretty good to me," Reid said. "There wasn't a whole lot of rust on him I don't think. He looked pretty good. He's a good football player."
Watt and the Texans will practice Thursday and Friday. They'll face the Chiefs at noon CT on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 12/29/2020)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
OLB, Peter Kalambayi, 58
OL, Senio Kelemete, 64
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Josh McCown, 3
S, A.J. Moore, 33
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
DE C.J. Prosise #24
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
OL, Laremy Tunsil, 78
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
DE, J.J. Watt, 99
LS, Jon Weeks #46
