Texans corners Kevin Johnson, Johnathan Joseph healthy again

When the Texans officially launch training camp Sunday, the defending AFC South champions will be a much healthier football team than the spring.

Although Pro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt (herniated disc surgery) and Pro Bowl alternate left tackle Duane Brown (quadriceps surgery) are on the physically unable to perform list with both optimistic about being back for the season-opener against the Chicago Bears, several players who were sidelined during the spring are healthy now.

That includes starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery this offseason and being on the active list along with cornerback Kevin Johnson. Johnson underwent wrist and foot surgeries after last season and missed the entire spring along with Joseph. Their return should bolster a secondary that also returns starters Kareem Jackson, Andre Hal and Quintin Demps.

Nickel back and special-teams contributor Charles James has been fully cleared for practice after undergoing foot surgery at the end of last season and missing offseason practices.

Johnson underwent foot surgery to repair a Jones fracture with Dr. Robert Anderson, the Carolina Panthers' team doctor and renowned orthopedist and foot specialist, inserting a surgical pin. He also had surgery for a broken wrist sustained prior to the Texans' 30-0 AFC wild-card playoff game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I'm feeling great, I'm feeling real good," said Johnson, the Texans' first-round draft pick last season. "I'm really excited. I expect to be all-go."

Even though the Texans are 3-5, cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and strong safety Kevin Johnson (30) have reason to be excited since the team remains in the AFC South title hunt. Even though the Texans are 3-5, cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and strong safety Kevin Johnson (30) have reason to be excited since the team remains in the AFC South title hunt. Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Texans corners Kevin Johnson, Johnathan Joseph healthy again 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Drafted 16th overall last season out of Wake Forest, Johnson started 10 of 16 games played and recorded 52 tackles, one interception and nine passes defended.

"It's been a different process for me going into my first offseason really dealing with injuries, just going through it," Johnson said. "The trainers did a great job with me. I'm feeling excellent right now. I'm excited for this month. I'm very excited to get to work."

Meanwhile, veteran outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of organized team activities and minicamps. Mercilus finished second to Watt with a career-high dozen sacks last season, contributing three more sacks in a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Starting tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz has also recovered from a hamstring injury and backup tight end Ryan Griffin has recuperated from an Achilles injury.

The Texans get athletic rookie running back Tyler Ervin, a former San Jose State standout, back on the field. Ervin missed the majority of the spring with a strained quadriceps.

Inside linebacker Max Bullough has recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

Undrafted rookie wide receiver Wendall Williams, one of the fastest players on the roster with a 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash, is practicing this week after missing the end of the spring with a hamstring injury

Offensive lineman Greg Mancz is back from knee surgery that kept him out of drills in the spring.