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Report: J.J. Watt expected to practice next week

Evan Habeeb / USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt is closing in on his long-awaited return.

The Houston Texans' star defensive end is expected to practice next week for the first time since July back surgery, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

A timeline for Watt's recovery has been relatively unclear in recent weeks, as the team was non-committal when asked about his availability for the first few regular-season games.

Speaking to that uncertainty, a conflicting report from ESPN's Ed Werder suggests Watt isn't yet expected to return to practice and his status for the opener is still up in the air.

Returning to practice nearly two weeks in advance of the opener, as Rapoport's timeline suggests, would give Watt the opportunity to avoid missing any meaningful action.

Watt remains the leader of a strong Texans front seven, and arguably the NFL's premier defensive player. The 27-year-old enters his sixth season already with four Pro Bowls and three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

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