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 9/7/2020)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
WR, DeAndre Carter, 14
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
WR, Will Fuller, V, 15
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
NT, P.J. Hall #96
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
RB, David Johnson #31
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
T, Roderick Johnson #63
OLB, Peter Kalambayi, 58
OL, Senio Kelemete, 64
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
CB, Bradley Roby #21
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
WR, Kenny Stills, 12
TE, Jordan Thomas, 83
S, Michael Thomas #28
OL, Laremy Tunsil, 78
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
DE, J.J. Watt, 99
