HOUSTON -- Texans defensive end J.J. Watt returned to practice Tuesday, eight weeks after he had surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. He said he expects to play in Houston's first playoff game.
"I feel extremely excited about being able to be back on the practice field with the guys," Watt said. "The medical team here has done a great job. There's obviously an element of risk involved as well. I understand. But to me, the opportunity to play in the playoffs, the opportunity to try and help this team win football games ... there's nothing that I want more."
Watt tore a pectoral muscle in Week 8 while making a tackle on Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Watt had surgery two days later.
Watt said he has to see how practice goes, but "the plan" is for him to play in the Texans' first playoff game.
"I'll practice this week and work my way back," Watt said. "And obviously next week continue to practice and get ready for a playoff game. I'll start today working my way back into practice, not going crazy with it, easing my way back in, throughout the rest of this week and then obviously next week practice leading into the first playoff game."
According to ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell, the typical recovery time for a torn pectoral muscle is three to four months.
The Texans put Watt on injured reserve, but have now designated him to return. Houston has a 21-day window to add him to the active roster.
Houston clinched the AFC South with a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. The Texans will host the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 and then host a playoff game.
On the night Watt tore his pectoral muscle, he and the team initially thought he would be out for the rest of the season. "This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal," Watt tweeted on Oct. 27. "Absolutely gutted that I won't be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve."
On Tuesday, Watt said it didn't take long after the surgery for him to rethink his chances.
"When I got hurt I just assumed I was done," Watt said. "I didn't even know there was a possibility. And then literally a couple days after the surgery, I was feeling so good that ... I just started asking questions. I said, 'Is it remotely possible?'
"We left the door open for a possibility. And from there, it was just literally, day by day, just ... doing whatever I can do. And we arrived here."
Watt said he understands there is an increased risk of tearing the muscle again, but it is worth it to have the chance to play again this season. He said he isn't sure how many snaps he will be able to play when he is finally in a game, but that "I'm sure it's not going to be an every play type of thing." He also expects to wear a harness when he plays.
"Just for the first one back, you know, I don't think that would be the best situation," Watt said. "But we'll see how it feels over the next two weeks and get a gauge for it before we go into that game."
Watt did not miss a game during the first five seasons of his career, but has dealt with major injuries in three of his past four seasons. He only played in three games in 2016 before undergoing season-ending back surgery. The following year, Watt broke his leg in Week 5.
Watt played in all 16 regular-season games in 2018, finishing the season with 16 sacks, which ranked second in the NFL.
When Watt got hurt this season, he led the NFL in pressures and quarterback hits. Houston is ranked 26th with 31 sacks.