Texans ready to kick off training camp in W.Va.
Watt, Watson ready to practice after injury-shortened seasons
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Walking off the bus Wednesday afternoon upon the Texans’ arrival at training camp, star defensive end J.J. Watt was already wearing his game face.
All Watt was lacking was eye black and pads.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year stared intensely at the lobby before checking into his room at The Greenbrier. He moved fast, a man with a purpose.
The only evidence of a gruesome broken leg — a tibial plateau fracture Watt suffered last season against the Kansas City Chiefs — was a surgical scar.
Watt didn't practice during the entire offseason but has made a full recovery from his injury and is now cleared to practice with no restrictions after passing the Texans’ conditioning test. He is on the active roster and avoided being placed on the physically unable to perform list.
That doesn't mean the Texans won’t take precautions with Watt, who has been limited to eight games, 23 tackles and 1½ sacks over the past two seasons due to the leg injury and a herniated disk that required a pair of surgeries.
In the wake of a 4-12 last-place finish in the AFC South last year during an injury-riddled season, there’s a lot of optimism surrounding the Texans with the return to health of standout players like Watt, quarterback Deshaun Watson and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. All three players are set to practice Thursday during the opening day of camp.
“He’s full-go,” Texans general manager Brian Gaine said of Watt. “He’s ready to go just like we talked about with Deshaun. He is coming off of a major injury. I think we’re going to be smart.”
Watt is determined to make a dramatic comeback. The 29year-old endured daily grueling training sessions to rehabilitate his leg in an effort to regain his Pro Bowl form.
“I love it, and whenever the passion goes away and whenever the love goes away, then it’ll be done,” Watt said during the spring. “I mean, I broke my back, I broke my leg, and I still have the passion, so I don’t know if it’s going to go away any time soon. I have a whole lot of it, and I’m really, really excited about just working and having fun and getting back out on the field.”
If Watt can make a full recovery and become a dominant player again, the Texans’ defense could be special.
So could the offense with the return of Watson, a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who transformed the Texans into a high-scoring, exciting offense last season before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
The former Clemson AllAmerican and national championship game winner was on pace to throw 43 touchdown passes before injuring his knee in practice last season.
Now, Watson is primed for his second NFL season.
“He’s cleared and ready to go,” Gaine said. “We’ll be efficient. We’ll be smart. We’ll be productive at the same time, but he’s full-go, ready to go. Just have to be smart about it. No, he will not miss camp.”
Watson shed his knee brace during the spring after Dr. Walter Lowe advised him that he was ready to increase his activity level without fear of a setback. Watson appeared confident and mobile during practice sessions. The rapid-fire footwork Watson has displayed in workout videos posted on his social media accounts is another example of how far he has come in his recovery.
“I think it’s a testament to his work ethic, to the commitment that he showed in terms of rehab,” Gaine said. “He handled it like a true pro. I think he’s a very good example to follow for young players.
“When you do have those times and places where maybe adversity strikes, I thought he handled it very well. Worked hard with our doctors. I think he’s a very good example for young players to follow when and if that happens.”
For the Texans to be able to line up for the first practice of camp with Watson under center, Watt at his traditional defensive end spot, and Clowney roaming around the line of scrimmage, it provides the team with even more hope of engineering a turnaround.
“It’s a testament to their work ethic and their commitment to get better,” said Gaine, who praised the work of Lowe and head athletic trainer Geoff Kaplan.
“When guys are out there and they’re unified and they’re all out there together as one, you’re working on that intangible element as well. It’s great to have them all healthy and back. So, looking forward to the results on the field.”