HOUSTON - The Houston Texans put star defensive end J.J. Watt on the physically unable to perform list less than a week before training camp begins.
The move, which was expected, comes after Watt recently had back surgery.
The NFL sacks leader last season with 17 is expected to be ready for the Texans' season opener.
The 27-year-old Watt played all of last season with a herniated disk and spent most of the offseason recovering after surgery to repair a groin injury in January.
Last season, Watt helped the Texans to their first playoff berth since 2012 and won his second straight Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Camp for Texans veterans opens this weekend.