Houston Texans' J.J. Watt "ahead of schedule"

HOUSTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Four-time All-Pro J.J. Watt wasn't on the field for the Houston Texans' Wild Card playoff win.

But he's looking good after getting back surgery in September. Texans coach Bill O'Brien offered an update on the star defensive end Monday.

"No idea about the time table for the offseason but I can tell you he's doing well," O'Brien told reporters. "He's in there working very hard to get better. He's been in there every day. You can see him out on the field running, you can see him doing different things in the weight room. So to no one's surprise, I'm sure that he is ahead of schedule."

Watt had 1.5 sacks and eight tackles in three games this season. But instead of anchoring the Texans' pass rush, he had to stand on the sidelines, helplessly watching his team fall to the New England Patriots last weekend. Despite missing Watt, the Texans allowed the fewest yards per game in the NFL. In November, Watt resumed treatment and rehab at the team's facilities.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has 76 career sacks. Watt had played every game in each of his first five seasons before missing the majority of 2016 due to a herniated disk. Watt led the NFL in 2015 with 17.5 sacks.

The Texans kickoff organized offseason conditioning in April.