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Report: J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery, could miss start of season

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has undergone back surgery for a herniated disc and will miss at least eight weeks, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Under that timeline, Watt would miss the Texans' season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11. He'll begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

A source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo that his recovery could take up to 10 weeks.

The 27-year-old has never missed a regular-season game, although he didn't play in the 2012 preseason due to an elbow injury.

He underwent sports hernia surgery in February, but returned to practice in early June.

The two-time defending NFL Defensive Player of the Year had a league-leading 17.5 sacks last season.

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