O'Brien expects Watt to participate in OTAs

After J.J. Watt was cleared for football activities in late January, Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien expects the star defensive end to have some participation in organized team activities this May, according to USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero.

O'Brien said Watt is "doing well," but that his performance in training camp next summer will be the true test in determining his status for the 2017 season. Watt missed 13 games in 2016 with a back injury.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in July - causing him to miss all of training camp - bhe gutted out a return in a limited role for the season's first three weeks before re-aggravating the injury.

Without Watt, the Texans still managed to produce the league's best-overall defense and win the AFC South for a second straight season.