J.J. Watt apparently won’t miss any regular-season games due to back surgery.

The Houston Texans defensive end and three-time NFL defensive player of the year will be activated by the Texans as he’s made a “speedy recovery” from surgery to repair a herniated disk, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle said. The team officially activated Watt off the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle said Watt “will play in the opener.”

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It’s hard to underestimate Watt’s impact on a Texans team that is hoping to win the AFC South for a second straight year. Watt underwent back surgery in late July and his status for Week 1 seemed iffy through August. Texans coach Bill O’Brien has been cautiously optimistic, offering this week that it “looks decent” for Watt to play in Week 1. Apparently Watt answered the final questions the Texans had about his back.

Questions remain, even if Watt is on the field for Week 1. Watt could be rushing back too soon and not be himself for a while, or risk further injury. It’s also worth wondering how long it’ll take Watt to look like his dominant self after he missed all of preseason and training camp. But it’s Watt, and he’s not a bad bet to overcome those things.

Whether he looks like vintage Watt in Week 1 or not, it’s great news for the Texans that he’ll apparently be back on the field without missing any meaningful football.

J.J. Watt (AP) More

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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