Makes impact both good, bad

Watt had two tackles, a quarterback hit and two passes defensed in Saturday's 21-7 wild-card round loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Watt deflected a couple of Andrew Luck passes, one of which turned into an interception inside Houston's own red zone, but was not the disruptive force we've seen much of the season. His offside penalty on the Colts' opening possession helped extend a drive that turned into a touchdown. The penalty was emblematic of Houston's performance in a game in which they made unforced errors and were utterly dominated. The frustration of the playoff loss aside, this was a nice bounceback season for Watt,…read more

Absent from injury report

Watt (elbow) doesn't sport an injury designation for Saturday's wild-card game against the Colts.

Analysis: The injuries that limited Watt in practice Wednesday were not believed to be serious, so it shouldn't come as a shock that he will suit up for the wild-card game. The star defensive end has enjoyed a resurgent season after a pair of injury-riddled campaigns, racking up 16.0 sacks and 47 tackles over a full regular season. The Colts have allowed just seven sacks all season -- tied with the Saints for the cleanest sheet in the league -- so Watt and the Texans defense will have their work cut out…read more

Limited at Wednesday's session

Watt (elbow/knee) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Watt's injuries are not believed to be too serious. He's still on track to play in Saturday's wild-card tilt with the Colts, but confirmation likely won't occur until later this week. The Texans appear to be taking every precaution necessary to ensure that Watt is available for Saturday's contest.

Downplays elbow injury

Watt (elbow/knee) said Tuesday that he'll be ready to play in Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Watt was limited in Tuesday's practice with elbow and knee injuries and wore a black sleeve on his right arm. He specifically downplayed the right elbow injury, while the knee is something he's managed since November.

Limited Tuesday

Watt (elbow/knee) was limited in practice Tuesday.

Analysis: Watt is nursing an elbow injury he suffered in Week 17's win over the Jaguars, in addition to the knee injury he dealt with over the past few weeks. The defensive end has played through the knee injury since November, and the elbow injury is not severe, so it's hard to believe he'll be sidelined Saturday.

Picks up arm injury

Watt injured his right arm during Sunday's 20-3 win over the Jaguars, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Watt sustained an undisclosed injury to his left arm during a first quarter sack-fumble, saying, "My arm just got jacked up in a couple different directions." The star defensive end received X-rays on his left arm Sunday, which did not reveal any significant injury. Watt will undergo more testing in the coming days, but does not appear to be in danger of missing any time as the Texans head into the playoffs.

Set for Week 17

Watt (knee) won't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Analysis: Watt was once again a limited participant this week since he hasn't fully shaken his lingering knee issue, though it poses no threat to his status for Sunday's game. The 29-year-old has a prime matchup against Blake Bortles and a tattered Jaguars offensive line.

Listed as limited at practice

Watt (knee) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Watt appearing on a Wednesday injury report has been common practice the last month, but he's yet to miss a game. That's what we anticipate Week 17, when the Texans still have a shot at a playoff bye in the AFC with a win over the Jaguars and a Patriots loss to the Jets.

All good for Sunday

Watt (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

Analysis: Watt has been a consistent presence on the injury report with the knee issue but has yet miss a game this season. The 29-year-old has 14.5 sacks and six forced fumbles as the Texans face the defending-champion Eagles with backup quarterback Nick Foles under center.

Logs limited practice

Watt was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a knee issue.

Analysis: Watt has shown up on the injury report each of the previous three weeks due to the knee, but he's subsequently managed to suit up each time. The only time the knee slowed him was the first of those three games -- Week 13 against the Browns. In the two games since, Watt had a combined eight tackles, three sacks, three tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. The Texans are merely managing the three-time Defensive Player of the Year's practice time so…read more

Makes impact Saturday

Watt had six tackles (four solo), two sacks and forced a fumble that led to a touchdown in Saturday's 29-22 win over the Jets. He added two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss.

Analysis: Watt managed elite production once again while being double-teamed all day. This was the fourth time he's recorded multiple sacks in a game, and since Week 3, there's been just two games in which he's failed to sack the quarterback.

No longer on injury report

Watt (knee) does not have an injury designation heading into Saturday's tilt against the Jets.

Analysis: Watt was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday before returning to full participation Thursday, so he'll be good to go Saturday at MetLife Stadium barring any pregame setbacks. The star defensive end will look to add to his season tally of 12.5 sacks.

Sacks keep coming

Watt (knee) recorded two tackles, both solo, a sack and a pass defensed across 63 snaps in Sunday's loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Watt was limited early in the week as he continues to nurse a lingering knee injury. However, he hasn't been slowed down on Sundays, as he now has 12.5 sacks on the season -- tying him for third-highest total in the league.

Listed as limited

Watt (knee) was listed as a limited participant during Tuesday's walkthrough.

Analysis: Watt has been dealing with a knee injury for nearly three weeks, though it has yet to keep him out of a game. Barring a setback, expect Watt to be his usual self against the Jets on Saturday.

Back to normal

Watt had two tackles, a sack, two quarterback hits and one pass defensed in a 24-21 loss to the Colts in Week 14.

Analysis: Watt had been on the injury list with a knee injury that had bothered him the last two weeks. He said he felt much better preparing for the Colts than he had the week prior, and it showed in his production. Watt now has 12.5 sacks, the fifth time he's reached double digits in his career.

Fine for Sunday

Watt (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The knee injury might explain why Watt was limited to one tackle and no sacks in last week's 29-13 win over the Browns, but he was also listed with the same issue ahead of the Week 13 victory over the Titans and erupted for 1.5 sacks and nine tackles. His knee is probably less of a concern this week than the tricky matchup against an excellent offensive line. Of course, Watt did have two sacks and two forced fumbles in the first meeting between these teams Sept. 30.

Projects optimism

Watt said his knee is "doing well," Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Watt showed up on Wednesday's injury report as limited -- the second straight week he's been on it -- but he feels the knee is better this week than it was Week 13 when he was questionable against the Browns. He recorded just two tackles and did not register a sack in last week's win over Cleveland. "It's doing well," Watt said. "Last week it just needed a little bit of rest but it's doing well. It's having a good day [Wednesday]." Watt projects optimism as he prepares for Week 14 against…read more

Limited to begin week

Watt (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Watt was able to play through his lingering knee injury during Sunday's win over the Browns, which bodes well for his Week 14 availability. The star defensive end has yet to miss a game this season, but his participation in practice Thursday and Friday will warrant monitoring.

Suiting up Sunday

Watt (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Analysis: Watt is probably running at less than full health while managing the knee injury, but even a compromised version of the defensive end can still be a game-wrecking force. He proved as much in the Texans' Week 12 win over the Titans, when he recorded nine tackles and 1.5 sacks along with a forced fumble in the 34-17 triumph.

Trending toward playing

Watt (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, is likely to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The knee issue has been bothering Watt for nearly two weeks, but it doesn't appear to be anything that will prevent him from suiting up on gamedays or dramatically hinder his effectiveness. In fact, Watt turned in one of his best outings of the season in Monday's 34-17 win over the Texans, registering nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Questionable for Week 13

Watt (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Analysis: After playing through the knee injury in a Monday night win over the Titans in Week 12, Watt had less time than usual to gear up for this week's game. As a result, his practice reps were limited Wednesday through Friday while he continued to manage the injury, but the expectation is that Watt will be ready to go once gameday arrives. Watt didn't appear to have any limitations against Tennessee, as he racked up a season-high nine tackles to go with 1.5 sacks and a forced forced fumble.

Knee no problem

Watt, who spent multiple days on the injury report with a knee injury, had nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in Monday's 34-17 win over the Titans.

Analysis: Watt was removed from the injury report after a third day of limited participation, but it's clear Houston was managing his practice workload so that he could disrupt the Titans offense during a real game. He has sacks in four straight games and in eight of the last nine.

Set for Monday's game

Watt (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Monday's game against the Titans.

Analysis: Watt was a limited participant for the third straight day Saturday as the Texans continue to manage his practice reps. Coach Bill O'Brien said Friday there were no concerns for Watt's playing status despite the practice limitations, and as expected he's now clear for Monday's divisional matchup against Tennessee.

Managing practice reps

Coach Bill O'Brien said Friday that there are no concerns with Watt (knee) listed on the injury report, and added, "This was a plan going into the season," Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

Analysis: Watt was limited in practice Thursday and, as evidenced by this news, the Texans are just trying to manage Watt's practice reps late in the season. Expect the Wisconsin product to be his normal disruptive self for the Texans on Monday night against the Titans.

Limited by knee

Watt was a limited participant at Thursday's practice due to a knee injury.

Analysis: The Texans may be managing Watt late in the season, making sure they can get a full year out of him for the first time in three seasons. Watt has been a disruptive force for the Texans, hitting double-digit sacks for the fifth time in his career.

Notches 10th sack

Watt recorded four tackles (three solo), including a sack, in Sunday's win over the Redskins.

Analysis: After two injury-plagued seasons, Watt has returned to his dominant pass rusher status. He's averaging a sack per game, though his tackle total is lower than in years past. Watt will look to continue his great play into Week 12, when the Texans take on the Titans.

Adds another sack

Watt recorded two tackles and a sack during Sunday's 19-17 win over the Broncos.

Analysis: Watt's sack total is now up to nine after bringing down Case Keenum. He's tied for third in that category behind Aaron Donald and Danielle Hunter. He'll look to get back at it after the Week 10 bye when the Texans face Alex Smith and the Redskins.

Disruptive in Thursday's win

Watt had four tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a pass defensed in Thursday's win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: Watt made life difficult for tackle Ja'Waun James, who eventually needed assistance in the form of a double-team. The sack was Watt's eighth of the season, putting him back in a tie for league high with the Rams' Aaron Donald and the Vikings' Danielle Hunter.

Ties for sack lead

Watt recorded three tackles and a sack in Sunday's win over Buffalo.

Analysis: After a slow start to the season, Watt has recorded at least one sack in four straight games, giving him 7.0 for the season. That ties him with Minnesota's Danielle Hunter for tops in the NFL.

Brings down quarterback again

Watt had two tackles and a sack during Sunday's 19-16 victory over the Cowboys.

Analysis: Watt now is tied for the NFL lead with six sacks, with all of them coming in the last three games. Teammate Jadeveon Clowney's recent dominance on the defensive line has aided Watt's pass rush, and the latter seems to have picked up right where he left off after injuries limited him to just eight games over the past two seasons.

Second straight multi-sack game

Watt had four tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and forced two fumbles, one that led to a touchdown, in Houston's Week 4 win over Indianapolis on Sunday.

Analysis: It took Watt a couple of weeks before rounding into form, but he now has five sacks and three forced fumbles over the last two weeks.

Back to form in loss

Watt recorded eight tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in Week 3's loss to the Giants.

Analysis: These were Watt's first sacks since September of 2016, as the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been dealing with injuries since. After such a long layoff, it took Watt a few weeks to regain his form, and his three sacks lead the Texans.

Got better as game progressed

Watt had three tackles and two quarterback hits in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Patriots in Week 1.

Analysis: Watt was initially quiet, but he started getting into the backfield more often in the second half. While he didn't get credit for a sack, Watt created the pressure that forced New England quarterback Tom Brady into the waiting arms of D.J. Reader. It was a good effort by Watt, who was limited to eight games played over the last two seasons by back and leg injuries.

May not be limited Sunday

Coach Romeo Crenel is optimistic that Watt will not be limited in Sunday's season opener against the Patriots, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: "Right now he's been doing OK in practice," Crennel said, "so he should be there." Watt was heavily limited throughout the preseason, playing only three defensive series in one game against the Rams. While it's hard to say whether Watt will ever have the same impact as during his historically dominant 2012-15 stretch, the defensive end at least looks likely to start against New England on Sunday.

One tackle in debut

Watt recorded one tackle and played three defensive series in Saturday's preseason loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Watt made his preseason debut Saturday, believed to be his only appearance before the regular season. He lined up at both defensive end positions before departing. The headline is that Watt came off the field under his own power and will be ready for the regular season opener Sept. 9 against New England.

Active during joint practice

Watt made several impact plays during Wednesday's joint practice session with the 49ers, John Harris of the Texans' official site reports.

Analysis: Watt made plays from both the right and left sides of the line, forcing San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo into hurried and errant throws, or to adjust his delivery, or to throw an interception. The defensive end said earlier in the week that he will be ready to go Week 1 against the Patriots and backed up those words with his actions Wednesday.

No doubt about Week 1

Watt reiterated that he has no doubt he will play Week 1 against New England, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: After missing 24 games the past two years, Watt was cleared to practice without any restrictions at the beginning of training camp. It's hard to say if he'll ever regain his historically dominant form of 2012-15, but there doesn't seem to be any question about his availability. Watt hopes to play in at least one preseason game as a tune-up before Week 1.

Hopes to play in at least one preseason contest

Watt (leg) is hopeful to play in at least one preseason game, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Watt, who avoided beginning training camp on the PUP list and has been cleared for full activity in practice, hopes to test out his surgically repaired leg in a game situation at some point during the preseason. He's not expected to participate in the Texans' preseason opener against the Chiefs on Thursday, but wants Houston to allow him to get a few live reps in the coming weeks. The team has proceeded cautiously with their star defensive end in past years, as the 29-year-old has dealt with…read more

Cleared to practice

Watt (leg) has been cleared to practice without restrictions, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Texans GM Brian Gaine said the defensive end is "full-go" as Houston opened training camp Wednesday. That doesn't mean head coach Bill O'Brien will unleash Watt, who has been limited to eight games and 23 tackles over the last two seasons due to leg and back injuries. The Texans have made it a practice to limit Watt's exposure during preseason, so expect the organization to proceed with caution and primarily focus on getting the three-time Defensive Player of the Year ready for the start of the…read more

Passes conditioning test

Watt (leg) aced his conditioning test Monday, reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen (via Adam Schefter).

Analysis: After missing 24 games the past two seasons, Watt recently posted a couple of pictures to his Instagram account which suggest he's back in peak shape. He was held out of the Texans' offseason program while recovering from a tibial plateau fracture, but he's been running since mid-January and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. It isn't out of the question for the 29-year-old defensive end to regain his form of 2012-15, a stretch in which he averaged 79 tackles and 17 sacks…read more

Watt (lower leg) is not expected to start training camp on the PUP list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Head coach Bill O'Brien has insisted over the last couple months that Watt will be at full strength before the start of the season, and the defensive end avoiding the PUP would mean he may be even further ahead of schedule than originally thought. Barring any setbacks over the next few months, expect Watt to be healthy enough to participate in training camp and remain on track for the start of the regular season.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien reiterated Monday that he expects Watt (lower leg) to return at full strength, NFL Network's Good Morning Football reports.

Analysis: O'Brien deemed Watt ahead of schedule in early March and doubled down on the optimism when talking with the media in early April. While it's a good sign that his coach has been consistently optimistic, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year still hasn't participated in any form of on-field activity since having surgery in October to repair a tibial plateau fracture. He had 1.5 sacks in eight games over the past two seasons, after posting remarkable averages of 78.8 tackles, 17.3 sacks…read more

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Watt (lower leg) is doing really well and should be back at full strength ahead of the upcoming season, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: O'Brien made similar comments in early March when he deemed Watt ahead of schedule but declined to provide specifics. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year underwent surgery in October to repair a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg, finishing the season with 15 tackles and no sacks in five games. Watt has played just eight games the past two seasons, after averaging 78.8 tackles, 17.3 sacks and 3.8 forced fumbles without missing a single contest from 2012 to 2015. He celebrated…read more

Watt (lower leg) was deemed ahead of schedule in his rehab last week by head coach Bill O'Brien, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: O'Brien didn't provide specifics regarding where Watt stands in his recovery from surgery to address a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg, but the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is expected to regain full strength for the start of training camp. With the leg injury and back surgery limiting him to just eight games over the past two seasons, Watt's reign as the unquestioned top IDP option along the defensive line is probably over, though he still probably represents one of the…read more

Watt (leg) resumed running in mid-January and remains on track to return in time for training camp, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Watt underwent surgery in October to repair a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg and still has significant work to do in the recovery process. The 28-year-old could return for Organized Team Activities this spring if everything goes smoothly, but the Texans are likely to proceed with extreme caution to manage the return of their franchise defensive lineman.

Watt (leg) is on track for training camp and expects to start running soon, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: It remains uncertain if Watt will return in time for April's organized team activities, but the four-time All-Pro defensive end at least sounds like he'll be fully recovered weeks ahead of the season opener.

Watt (lower leg) said Friday that he'll be ready to play next season, but isn't certain if he'll be on the field for the start of Organized Team Activities in the spring, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Watt, who underwent surgery in October to repair a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg, only recently started walking without the aid of crutches, so he's not far along in the recovery process to forecast his return to practice. With Watt having been limited to a combined eight games over the last two years after sustaining a pair of season-ending injuries, it's fair to wonder if the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will ever return to peak form again.