Texans star J.J. Watt has back surgery but is expected to play in season opener

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt had back surgery and will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, according to a person familiar with the condition of the NFL’s two-time defensive player of the year

The person spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t confirmed the surgery or Watt’s roster status.

Watt, the NFL sacks leader last season with 17 1/2, will miss the start of training camp, but is expected to be ready for the season opener.

Watt spent most of the off-season recovering after having surgery to repair a groin injury in January.

The surgery was first reported by ESPN.

Hardy works out for the Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars worked out polarizing defensive end Greg Hardy on Thursday. A team spokesman confirmed the workout but did not indicate whether the Jags planned on signing the former Dallas and Carolina standout.

Hardy had a tumultuous season in Dallas, one that started with a four-game suspension related to his domestic violence case in North Carolina and included several disruptions that included a physical confrontation with an assistant coach.

Working out Hardy shows the Jaguars are still looking for pass-rushing help after failing to land Olivier Vernon and Robert Ayers in free agency. Vernon signed with the New York Giants, and Ayers ended up in Tampa Bay.

Jacksonville parted ways with Chris Clemons and Andre Branch, leaving a host of unproven youngsters in the rotation at defensive end. Expected starter Dante Fowler is coming off reconstructive knee surgery.

Etc.

The Detroit Lions have signed free agent tackle Luke Marquardt. The New York Jets signed the 26-year-old Marquardt in April, but he was waived less than two months later. Marquardt was signed by San Francisco as an undrafted free agent from Azusa Pacific in 2013. He has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. …

The Pittsburgh Steelers released tight end Matt Spaeth on Thursday after the veteran tight end failed a physical. The 32-year-old is recovering from off-season knee surgery. … The Green Bay Packers would like to host the NFL draft. The Packers have applied to host the draft in 2019, 2020 or 2021, team President Mark Murphy said. He told attendees at the team’s annual shareholders meeting Thursday that the league views the draft as an event that can move around the country annually, similar to the Super Bowl. The last two drafts were held in Chicago.