JJ Watt undergoes back surgery, will open camp on PUP list

J.J. Watt underwent back surgery recently and will open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but the surgery should not cause him to miss any games this season.

The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain reported the news on Twitter Thursday about Watt’s surgery:

JJ Watt has undergone back surgery and will start camp on physically unable 2 perform but should b ready 4 season.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) July 22, 2016

Though something as serious as back surgery less than two months away from the opening of the NFL season would lead one to have concerns about a player missing time, Watt has shown throughout his career that he doesn’t allow much to affect him.

The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year has not missed a game during his five-year career. That includes the 2012 season, when he missed the preseason because of an elbow injury but still played 16 games and went on to capture his first Defensive Player of the Year award.

Watt has recorded 69 sacks in the past four seasons and is widely considered the best defensive player in the league.