The Houston Texans have seen defensive end J.J. Watt at practice. Lamar Miller JerseysNow they've seen him in a preseason game -- his first since his September 2016 back surgery -- and he says he's healthy. The question remaining is whether the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year can play at the level he has in the past.

When he was asked after practice on Tuesday whether he feels like the player he was before, J.J. Watt JerseysWatt said he didn't want to make any guarantees, and instead said he is looking forward to being on the field again."I feel very good. I'm very excited to be out there," Watt said. Vince Wilfork Jerseys"I'm not here to make any proclamations. I'm not here to say any breaking news, but I'm very, very excited. I'm very excited for the season."

Watt continues to participate in training camp practices, but the Texans' coaching staff has been giving him days off throughout camp to keep his body ready. Head coach Bill O'Brien said the goal is to get him ready for the Texans' season opener on Sept. 10.

"We've done a good job [managing my body]," Watt said. Brian Cushing Jerseys"The coaching staff has a good plan in place. The trainers have a good plan in place. We've had great success with it so far, leading up to this point, and we're going to continue it down the road.

"It's not necessarily any less work -- it's just smarter. Trying to make sure we do it the smartest way possible, because as I grow, I understand that it's all about 16 Sundays and then beyond that, DeAndre Hopkins Jerseysso I just need to be ready for those."

The veteran played in just three games last season before undergoing back surgery and spending the rest of the season on injured reserve. Watt had previously had back surgery in late July, and was aggressive in his rehab to get back to start the 2016 season.