Feels good after return

Watson said he wasn't feeling any adverse effects following Thursday's preseason opener against the Chiefs, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The preseason opener was Watson's first game action since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last season. He played just five snaps and was upbeat when he returned to practice Saturday. "I feel good," Watson said. "Didn't really play too long, so it was decent. I just played five snaps, handed the ball off, threw one pass." Watson should get more reps in the second preseason game, Saturday at home against the 49ers.

Limited action in return

Watson played one series in the Texans' 17-10 preseason win over the Chiefs on Thursday, completing his only pass for four yards.

Analysis: The dynamic second-year quarterback was able to get back into game action just over nine months after tearing his ACL last Nov. 2. Watson's presence was expected Thursday after he'd practiced without limitations since the onset of camp, but it was nevertheless encouraging to see him face live defenders. Head coach Bill O'Brien was unsurprisingly cautious with his star signal caller, giving him a quick hook after the opening possession. Watson is likely primed for a healthy boost in snaps when…read more

Likely playing Thursday

Watson is on track to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Chiefs, though Texans coach Bill O'Brien acknowledges he hasn't made a final decision, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: O'Brien likely will reveal his decision once he's done formulating the gameplan for Thursday. Regardless of his status for the preseason opener, Watson doesn't seem to be in any danger of missing Week 1 of the regular season. He's been a full participant in practice since the outset of training camp, with no report of any limitations or setbacks with his knee so far.

Takes first-team reps

Watson handled first-team reps at Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Watson handled everything but 11-on-11 drills during the offseason program, so Thursday's development is the most-recent positive sign for his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee. It's unclear if he slipped on a sleeve or brace, which he alternatively has donned in recent months. As he ramps up his workload further, the last question that remains is when he'll see game action.

Declares self ready for camp

Watson (knee) said he will be a "full-go" for the start of training camp, NFL.com reports.

Analysis: Watson participated in everything besides 11-on-11 work at June minicamp, doing so without the assistance of a knee brace. He plans to ramp things up for the start of training camp, potentially returning to full practice participation less than nine months after tearing the ACL in his right knee. Even if he ends up being eased into practice, the 22-year-old quarterback clearly is on track for Week 1, with a shot to see some action during the preseason.

Gets rid of knee brace

Watson (knee) practiced without a brace at mandatory minicamp this week, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports. "The knee is doing good," Watson said Wednesday. "For the nine-week goal we put in from the beginning [of the offseason program], I'm pretty much where I wanted to be. Kind of passed it inside in the weight room, mentally and also on the field, so everything's going smoothly right now."

Analysis: More than seven months removed from tearing the ACL in his right knee during a Week 9 practice, Watson has made significant progress in his recovery, taking part in all drills but 11-on-11 team work. Prior to minicamp, he was moving about with a brace and later a sleeve during OTAs, so the lack of either this week indicates his presence could be felt at the very start of training camp July 26. Even if he's limited at that point, preseason games will be the true testing ground for the knee in…read more

Not expected to land on PUP

Watson (knee) is not expected to open up training camp on the PUP list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: This is a very positive development for the starting quarterback, as his anticipated absence from the PUP list at the start of training camp suggests that Watson is very close to being back to 100 percent. Watson has participated in throwing drills during OTAs and should see his workload increase as training camp draws closer.

Participating in OTAs

Watson (knee) was seen participating in throwing drills during OTAs on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: This is the first time Watson has been seen participating in any sort of football activity after going down with a torn ACL last season, which is another encouraging sign as training camp approaches. Head coach Bill O'Brien has said that Watson is on track to participate in the team's training camp in July, and the fact that the second-year quarterback is already on the field throwing certainly backs that claim up. Barring any setbacks, expect Watson's workload to gradually increase as the…read more

On track for camp

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Watson (knee) is on schedule to participate in training camp, NFL Network's Will Selva reports.

Analysis: O'Brien seemingly has been optimistic about all of his team's injuries throughout the offseason, particularly when discussing Watson and J.J. Watt (lower leg), two of the team's three most important players (along with DeAndre Hopkins). The second-year quarterback has yet to participate in any form of football activity, but the Texans haven't ruled out an appearance at some point during OTAs or mandatory minicamp between late May and mid-June. Watson will be 10 months removed from tearing the…read more

Watson continues to progress well in his recovery from a torn right ACL, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports. "Deshaun's ahead of schedule, but there's still a lot of work," coach Bill O'Brien said Tuesday. "He has a great idea how he feels and how his knee is. He knows the stages he needs to get back on the field."

Analysis: Per the report, Watson, who injured his knee back on Nov. 2, is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. What the QB will be able to do during the Texans' offseason program remains to be seen, however, with incremental steps in order. With that in mind, it appears as though Watson will probably do some throwing as OTAs progress, possibly in 7-on-7 situations, but probably not in team drills. Once training camp rolls around, we'll have a better handle on Watson's recovery, but once…read more

Runs without knee brace

Watson was seen running without a knee brace on the field at the Texans' practice facility Thursday, according to J.J. Watt's Twitter account.

Analysis: Only one month ago, Watson posted a video of himself running on an AlterG treadmill, so he appears to be progressing through his recovery from a torn right ACL, as expected. Speaking at the scouting combine last week, general manager Brian Gaine told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that Watson may be able to participate in OTAs in some capacity, which would put him on pace to be a full go during training camp and/or the preseason. There's a chance his mobility will be compromised somewhat…read more

Likely to participate in OTAs

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said Wednesday that Watson remains ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and believes the quarterback will be available in some capacity for Organized Team Activities, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: O'Brien's comments align with what he has said multiple times earlier in the offseason with regards to the franchise signal caller's recovery. While it remains to be seen if Watson will be a full participant in workouts by the time OTAs draw to a close, there seems to be little doubt about the 22-year-old gaining clearance for training camp, much less the start of the upcoming season. While the Houston staff could scale back Watson's involvement in the run game coming off a major surgery, his…read more

Resumes running

Watson (knee) resumed running Monday, per his personal Twitter account.

Analysis: Since the end of the regular season, head coach Bill O'Brien has stated multiple times that Watson is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL suffered in practice Nov. 2. Watson was handed a timetable of 8-to-9 months, which could allow for participation at the outset of training camp. He appears to be eyeing that as a goal, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. "Training camp is a guarantee," Watson said last week on Sports Radio 610. "I am making sure I am ready for training…read more

Ahead of schedule

Coach Bill O'Brien indicated last week that Watson (knee) is ahead of schedule and could be available in some capacity during the Texans' Organized Team Activities, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The team's offseason program begins in mid-April and runs until mid-June. With that in mind, Watson wouldn't totally commit to a timetable that would entail him taking the field during OTAs, but he expressed zero doubt with regard to his training camp availability. "Training camp is a guarantee," Watson noted. "I am making sure I am ready for training camp for sure. OTAs, it just depends on everything on how it is coming along, but for sure training camp." Prior to tearing his right ACL in…read more

Ahead of schedule in recovery

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien confirmed Tuesday that Watson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL, Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports.

Analysis: Watson relayed about two weeks ago that he was "on the right track" with his recovery from Nov. 8 surgery to address the ligament damage to his right knee, so O'Brien's comments seemingly support the quarterback's optimism. O'Brien didn't rule out of the possibility of Watson being able to take part in Organized Team Activities, which begin in mid-April, but the 22-year-old would likely face significant restrictions if available. Regardless, it's looking promising that Watson will be at or near…read more

Rehab on 'right track'

Watson (knee) said Tuesday that his rehab is "on the right track" following his Nov. 8 surgery to repair a torn ACL, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The Texans projected Watson would need eight to nine months to rehab his right knee, which he injured on a non-contact play during practice a little under a week before he had the procedure. Though he's only six weeks removed from surgery, Watson has already said that he plans on returning to the field shortly after the Texans' Organized Team Activities that run from mid-April through mid-June, likely meaning that he's planning on being ready for the start of training camp in July. While…read more

Watson (knee) underwent successful surgery Wednesday to repair his right ACL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Doctors detected no additional ligament damage beyond the ACL tear while performing the procedure, so Watson's recovery timetable is expected to remain at 8-to-9 months. The rookie quarterback was enjoying a star-making campaign prior to suffering the injury in practice last week, but the Texans fully expect Watson to return to form by the start of the 2018 season. The knee surgery was the second of Watson's career; he previously required a procedure during his freshman year of college to…read more

Surgery scheduled for Wednesday

Watson will undergo surgery Wednesday to repair his torn right ACL, Mike Garofolo of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Texans moved Watson to injured reserve shortly after he suffered the injury on a non-contact play during practice Nov. 2, spelling an end to what had been an outstanding rookie campaign. Watson is expected to require 8-to-9 months to recover from the procedure, which could result in him being limited when training camp opens next summer. Assuming Watson endures no significant setbacks, however, he should be on track to open the 2018 campaign as the Texans' starting quarterback.

Recovery expected to last 8-to-9 months

Watson's recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee is expected to last 8-to-9 months, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Watson's exciting rookie campaign came to an unexpected end at Thursday's practice, when he suffered the second ACL tear of his football career. During the previous occurrence, he managed to achieve full health in an unheard-of five months, so the Texans are holding out hope he'll be available at some point during the 2018 offseason program. Even if he requires the full nine months, Watson will return in the midst of training camp, giving him plenty of time to regain his bearings in advance of…read more

The Texans have placed Watson (knee) on IR.

Analysis: Watson, is of course irreplaceable, but his injury will lead to Tom Savage starting Sunday's game against the Colts and prompted the Texans to officially sign both Matt McGloin and T.J. Yates on Friday. Previous reports relayed that Watson is expected to make a full recovery from his torn right ACL in time for the 2018 season, though the QB -- who was in the midst of a brilliant rookie campaign prior to suffering his knee injury Thursday -- does face a rehab period estimated to be in the 7-to-9…read more

Right ACL surgery on tap

Watson is slated to undergo season-ending surgery after tearing his right ACL during Thursday's practice, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Watson, who tore the ACL in his left knee as a freshman at Clemson in 2014, is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2018 season, though he does face a rehab period estimated in the 7-to-9 month range, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. With Watson's spectacular rookie season derailed by the injury, Tom Savage is slated to start at quarterback for the Texans on Sunday against the Colts. Meanwhile, the team plans to add fellow signal callers Matt McGloin and T.J. Yates to…read more

ACL tear reportedly confirmed

It has been confirmed that Watson tore his ACL on Thursday, both Adam Schefter of ESPN and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

Analysis: We'll await official word from the Texans, but Watson is now on track to miss the remainder of the season, with Tom Savage -- who was replaced by Watson in team's season opener -- set to reclaim the team's starting QB assignment. Watson's brilliant rookie campaign thus comes to a sudden halt, with the Clemson product having tossed 19 TDs versus eight picks through seven games. His absence down the stretch represents a major hit to the Texans offense, with wideouts DeAndre Hopkins and Will…read more

Possible torn ACL

There are fears that Watson suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Per the report, Watson suffered a non-contact injury Thursday, with an MRI on tap to determine the extent of his knee injury. If an ACL tear is confirmed, Watson would be done for the season, which would set the stage for Tom Savage to reclaim the Texans' starting QB job.