Houston (CBS HOUSTON) – The Houston Texans are being cautious with their superstar defensive lineman J.J. Watt. After back surgery that some speculated could keep him out four weeks of the regular season Watt might be back on the practice field this week.

“J.J. Watt, he actually lifted on Friday, passed his conditioning test (Sunday),” Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer said on the pregame show before the Texans beat the Cardinals 34-24 in their third preseason game. “He wants to practice this week. Head coach Bill O’Brien said, ‘hey let’s slow it down.’

“Anybody else, I don’t think they’d be back week 1. J.J. Watt is not like anybody else. I think there is a very strong chance he does play.”

Passing a conditioning test is typically one of the last steps in a player getting back onto the practice field. The Texans really only need to see Watt on the field practicing the week before Week 1 to make sure he’s healthy and ready to go against the Chicago Bears.

Watt has yet to miss a regular season game in his career since he was drafting in 2011, 11th overall by the Texans.