HOUSTON -- This is J.J. Watt’s second consecutive year spending the majority of the season on injured reserve, but for the Houston Texans defensive end, dealing with a broken leg has been easier.

Watt missed all but three games in 2016 after he needed back surgery in late September.

“I think one of the biggest things that’s a little bit easier about this year is with the back injury, nobody can see it,” Watt said. “You’re walking around, you look normal. Everything seems normal. When you’re on crutches … people can understand a broken leg a lot easier than they can understand a broken back.

J.J. Watt said he's making progress in his recovery from a broken leg, including being able to work out on an exercise bike. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

“Last year I felt so guilty, because I could walk, I could move, but I couldn’t play. This year, I mean, my leg’s broken. What am I going to do? For me it’s easier mentally.”

Watt has talked at length about how hard it was for him a year ago to recover from back surgery because of how guilty he felt for not being able to help his teammates. This season, Watt said, he is not allowing himself to feel sorry for himself.

“The biggest difference between last year and this year for me is I’m not letting myself go into that depressed, injured reserve mode,” Watt said. “I’m still going to be optimistic, I’m still going to have fun, I’m still going to try to enjoy myself because there’s no point. If you … get down on yourself, then you’re going to have a rough time. But I’m trying to have fun and be happy and do the best I can to stay optimistic.”

Watt has been sidelined for nine weeks since he broke his leg against the Kansas City Chiefs, and started walking last week. Watt has began to make progress, working out on the exercise bike and is now able to work on strengthening his legs.

“It’s a long process,” Watt said. “But every day that I get to do something new is an exciting day and it’s just one day at a time, that’s all it is.”

Watt said he’ll be ready for next season, but doesn’t know when he’ll be back on the field during the offseason. After playing in every game in his first five seasons, Watt will now have only played in eight games in the past two years. It remains to be seen whether Watt can return to his previous form -- he is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year -- but unlike the back injury, Watt said, a broken leg “ is an injury where once it’s done, it’s done. Once I’m back, I’m healthy.”

And that makes it even easier for Watt to focus on putting the work in on his rehab to be ready for next season.

“It sucks,” Watt said. “I’m not going to lie to you. I want to be out there with the guys. I hate not being out on the field, I hate not being at practice. But I also understand, it’s just part of the game. And all I can do in the rehab room [is] to get ready for next year.”