HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) – The Houston Texans haven’t seen star defensive end JJ Watt on the field for the entirety of 2016 training camp after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back shortly before the Texans first practice. Watt never gave a definitive answer to when he could return, but mentioned he hoped not to miss his first regular season game of his career if he could avoid it.

Watt did tell reporters in his only media availability early in camp that he would abide by what the doctors tell him regarding a return.

Watt told reporters in July, “I can’t put a solid start date on when I’m going to be able to play.” “Never missed a game in my five years. In 2012, I missed all of training camp and didn’t have a problem there. Don’t see this being a problem and I don’t plan on missing my first game now, but I can’t promise it.”

ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder reported on Twitter Friday that Watt may miss the first two games of the regular season. Werder quoted head coach Bill O’Brien

“(Watt’s)really on an upward trajectory. Everything is going in the right direction.” “I don’t think we can predict whether (Watt will) be ready for Week 1 or Week 2, but he’s going to be ready sooner rather than later.”

Should Watt miss the first two games of the season he would miss the season opener versus Chicago on September 11th and a home game against the team that eliminated the Texans from last year’s playoffs the Kansas City Chiefs.

Alex Del Barrio can be heard on Saturday afternoons with Matt Murphy from 3-7 pm and on Sunday afternoons with Jeremy Branham on Sportsradio 610. Follow Alex Del Barrio on Twitter: @alexdelbarrio