Bill O'Brien says J.J. Watt will play in Texans' preseason opener

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – After Saturday's practice, coach Bill O'Brien was asked about players who'll be available for the first preseason game Wednesday at Carolina.

When O'Brien was asked if defensive end J.J. Watt would play, he said, "Yeah."

Watt underwent two back operations last year, and the Texans have been taking it easy on him, giving him days off after hard practices. O'Brien and Watt say the plan is designed to have him 100 percent for the first game of regular season Sept. 10 against Jacksonville.

"Everybody that's able to play in the game will play in the game," O'Brien said. "Obviously, we'll talk about it as a staff, how much everybody plays. You have injuries, so, 80-plus guys you have to get into the game (and) you need to evaluate."