With all hands now on deck, focus shifts to season opener
Roster close to full strength with return of Watt, Brown
The return of defensive end J.J. Watt created a buzz at the Texans’ practice Monday.
The excitement level was elevated, anyway, because the Texans begin the regular season Sunday against Chicago at NRG Stadium.
Watt’s return warranted a crowd of photographers and videographers shooting him while he stretched, jogged and ran around the field for the first time since undergoing surgery July 19 to repair a herniated disk in his back.
The return of Watt and right tackle Derek Newton (hamstring) will fortify the defensive and offensive lines when the Texans kick off against the Bears, the first of three opponents who will visit NRG Stadium over the first four weeks.
“We had a full-padded practice, and both of those guys were with their teammates working hard,” coach Bill O’Brien said after practice. “It’s always good to have your team as close to full strength as possible.”
O’Brien and the trainers will keep a watchful eye on Watt and Newton during practice this week. They want to avoid setbacks.
“Anybody who comes back from being out for a while the first thing you want to look at is their level of conditioning,” O’Brien said. “Where are they as it relates to their conditioning, their ability to stay in there and sustain plays throughout a drive? That’s the big thing. From there, it’s how are they reacting to whatever their injury was.”
Quarterbacks beware
Watt, who led the NFL with 17½ sacks last season and was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year for a third time, was so eager to hit somebody he might as well have been snorting and pawing at the ground.
Watt will try to take out the frustration of missing so much practice time on the Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler.
“It’s a tough sport, and it takes a lot out of you,” said inside linebacker Brian Cushing, who knows more about recovering from major injuries than any player on the team. “The road to recovery is never easy, but he’s (Watt) got a ton of will and a ton of heart, and I know he’ll be back.”
Nobody knows for sure if Watt will need a few breathers against Chicago or if he will play his usual role. O’Brien might have to get out a hook if Watt is told to take a breather before he is ready to go to the sideline.
“Nothing surprises me about J.J.,” outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. “He’s a hard-working guy. His motivation was to get back as soon as possible, so he did it.”
Watt’s streak of not missing a start entering his sixth season will remain intact.
After Watt’s surgery, doctors told the Texans he should be able to play in eight weeks, barring a setback. Sunday’s game will be 56 days since the surgery.
Watt is the best player in the league, so his return gets much more attention than Newton’s return to right tackle after being out since the first day of camp with a severe hamstring injury.
Sitting out is no fun
Even though Kendall Lamm played well in the team’s 4-0 preseason, the Texans need Newton back in the lineup.
“It was good just to have fun again with those guys,” Newton said about returning to practice. “It’s amazing, man. Not being out there was kind of tough. Sitting back, watching those guys have fun and build chemistry, it kind of felt like I needed to be out there.”
Newton will play against the Bears as if he had never been out. He thinks he can go the distance if given the chance, but that might be difficult considering how much time he has missed and how much work he needs to get back his timing.
“I’m going to listen to what Coach tells me to do,” he said. “Until he takes me out, I’m going to be in there.”
Their teammates were glad to have Watt and Newton back at practice, especially knowing that they will be able to play Sunday.
“They’re a vital part of this team,” Mercilus said. “You see those guys making plays — J.J. getting after the quarterback and Newt protecting the quarterback — and it builds a more competitive atmosphere on defense and offense.”
The Texans couldn’t care less about their unbeaten preseason or last year’s division title.
As Cushing pointed out, the Texans are 0-0 like everyone else. They are focused on the Bears, and getting Watt and Newton back on the field should enhance their chances of getting off to a successful start.
“Any time you get back impact players, it’s going to help,” Cushing said. “And they are going to help us, no question about it.”