Watt hoping to see action in preseason games

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt told reporters Sunday he hopes to get some snaps in during the preseason as he returns from a broken leg.

"It doesn't need to be a lot but I think that it's important to at least see some live bullets before you go out there and have guys flying at you for real," he said, courtesy ABC13's David Nuno.

The Houston Texans star defensive end has played just eight regular-season games over the past two years because of back and leg injuries, collecting a mere 1.5 sacks over that span. The 29-year-old had 17.5 sacks in 2015, his last full season, and 20.5 sacks the year prior.

Watt saw action in three preseason games last year while returning from back surgery.

He looked to be in midseason form - and then some - during Sunday morning's practice:

Houston opens its preseason schedule Thursday night but Watt isn't expected to play, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.