Less than two months after undergoing back surgery, Houston Texans Pro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt is expected to play in next Sunday's regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Texans activated Watt from the physically unable to perform list Saturday, making him eligible to play in Week 1. The team announced on Sunday that Watt passed his physical.

Watt had been on the preseason PUP list since he had surgery on a herniated disk in his back in late July, and did not participate in training camp or any of the Texans' preseason games. If the Texans had put him on the regular-season PUP list, he would have had to miss at least six weeks of practice before returning to the field.

Coach Bill O'Brien said Friday that it "looks decent" that Watt could play against the Bears.

Watt has never missed a game in his five-year NFL career.

Information from ESPN staff writer Sarah Barshop contributed to this report.