The Houston Texans didn’t need a full season from J.J. Watt to win the AFC South this year. 

They will gladly welcome him back for a possible return in the playoffs, though. 

Three days after the Texans captured the division crown with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Watt will began practicing Tuesday with an eye toward a potential return for the wild-card round of the playoffs next weekend. Watt suffered a torn pectoral during a Week 8 win over the Oakland Raiders, and he later said he wouldn’t “be able to finish the season with my guys.”

On Tuesday, Watt had a different outlook.

“I feel extremely excited about being able to be back on the practice field with the guys,” Watt said. “There’s an element of risk involved as well. To me, opportunity to play in the playoffs, it’s just there’s nothing I want more. It’s built in thereBefore going down, the three-time NFL defensive player of the year racked up four sacks and four tackles for loss while leading the league in quarterback hits. It marked the third time in four seasons an injury cut Watt’s season short. 

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On Monday, Texans coach Bill O’Brien did not want to address a potential Watt return. 

“I’m going to pass on that question,” O’Brien said, per the Houston Chronicle. “I’m not up here to talk about J.J. We’ll get to that when we get to that, whether it’s this season or offseason or whenever.” 

Teammate Whitney Mercilus suffered a torn pectoral in 2016, but the fellow pass-rusher said Watt’s recovery was progressing much faster than his own rehab.

“His is completely different,” Mercilus said. “Now, he’s cranking out push-ups. All the power to him.” 

The Texans host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday before a home playoff game the following week.

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