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Last week, ESPN’s Ed Werder tweeted that Texans coach Bill O’Brien said he’s unsure defensive end J.J. Watt will play in the first two regular-season games of the year following unexpected back surgery earlier in the summer. Asked about what he said (or didn’t say) by reporters on Sunday, O’Brien said something far less specific

“I’m not on Twitter, so I’m not sure about that but I just don’t think anybody can predict when J.J. will be back,” O’Brien said. “I would say though that knowing J.J. the way I do that he’ll be back sooner rather than later. He’s progressing really well. He’s been able to do some things on the Alter-G Treadmill in there, which is a really good sign so as you guys would expect J.J. is really wanting to do a lot more and he’s doing a good job of following the doctor’s orders but we feel good about where’s he’s at right now relative to the beginning of the season.”

So, basically, Watt will be listed as questionable or doubtful for Week One, and no one will know whether he’s actually going to play unless he does. And that will continue on a weekly basis until he does.