Report: Texans' Watt to return to practice

The Houston Texans are set to designate defensive end J.J. Watt to return from injured reserve, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Watt, who's been sidelined since Oct. 27 with a pectoral injury, now has a 21-day practice window during which the Texans can reinstate him. However, they can't do so after it expires.

The 30-year-old was initially expected to miss the remainder of the season. His likely return comes on the heels of the Texans clinching their fourth AFC South title in five years.

Watt posted 24 tackles and four sacks in the first eight games of the season. He had 16 sacks a year ago, finishing second in Comeback Player of the Year voting to Andrew Luck.

Injuries have limited Watt to 32 games over the last four years.