J.J. Watt needs two sacks in the regular season finale to tie the NFL record.

Watt got to Christian Ponder once on Sunday, giving him 20.5 sacks on the season. He's just the ninth player in the history of the league to reach 20 and now has his sights set on Michael Strahan's record. When Watt faced the Colts in Week 15, he racked up three sacks and 10 tackles. He gets them again in Week 17.

With three sacks in Thursday's game at Detroit, J.J. Watt now owns the Texans single season record with 14.5.

He trails Aldon Smith by half a sack for the NFL lead. Watt finished the game with four tackles for a loss, five QB hurries, and two passes defended. He's now up to 13 passes defensed on the season. Watt and Von Miller are the leading candidates for defensive player of the year.

Texans LE J.J. Watt is the first player since Kevin Greene in 1998 to have multiple sacks in each of the first four games in a season.

Since 1982, only eight players have registered more sacks than Watt's 7.5 in their first four games. The NFL's most dominant player was rewarded with AFC Defensive Player of the Month of the month honors. According to numbers compiled by Rotoworld's Evan Silva, Watt has tallied 40 tackles, 12 sacks, 17 QB hits, 16 tackles for loss, nine batted passes and a pick-six over his last eight games. He's been an unholy terror for a Texans defense that doesn't spend much time on the field thanks to an offense that ranks second in the NFL in average time of possession.

Texans LE J.J. Watt posted 2.5 sacks and four tackles for a loss in the Texans' Week 3 win over the Broncos.

Watt's breakout season continues. Through three weeks, he's terrorized offenses to the tune of 5.5 sacks, 15 tackles and five pass breakups. There might not be a better 3-4 end in football.

Coach Gary Kubiak said LE J.J. Watt has "had two outings as good as you can possibly have."

Watt has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the league. He's backed up last year's season-ending breakout by posting three sacks, five pass deflections and eight tackles through the first two games of this year. The Broncos are going to have their hands full with this Texans defense on Sunday.

Texans LE J.J. Watt had two tackles, 1.5 sacks and two pass deflections that led to interceptions in Sunday's win over the Dolphins.

Watt played with a brace on his left elbow, but it didn't limit him at all. The 2011 first-round pick has the potential to be dominant in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. Over his last three games (including playoffs), Watt has five sacks, one interception return for a touchdown and four passes defensed.

Texans LE J.J. Watt (elbow) anticipates being 100 percent healthy for Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins.

Watt is also chomping at the bit to tee off on Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. "We're excited to welcome him into the league," Watt said with a grin. The Texans might be the best fantasy defense start for Opening Day.

Texans LE J.J. Watt (elbow) is expected to resume practicing next week.

Watt will end up missing all four preseason games, although the target date all along has been Week 1. The 11th overall pick in last year's draft, Watt registered 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and four pass breakups as a 16-game rookie starter. He's a long-term building block for Houston's up-and-coming defense.

Texans LE J.J. Watt (elbow) is "100 percent sure" he'll be ready for Week 1.

"Maybe even earlier," Watt said. "We're going to see on that (returning for a preseason game), but it's definitely a possibility. I wouldn't rule it out." Watt is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a dislocated elbow, but was always expected to be ready for the regular season. It won't be a concern if he doesn't play in the preseason.

J.J. Watt (elbow) is inactive for Saturday's preseason opener.

Watt suffered a dislocated elbow on August 2, but isn't in danger of missing regular season games. Also inactive for the Texans are WR Andre Johnson (groin), ILB Brian Cushing, and DE Jared Crick. Tim Jamison is replacing Watt on the first-team at left defensive end.

Texans DE J.J. Watt suffered a dislocated elbow in Thursday's practice.

Watt had to be carted off the field, and coach Gary Kubiak expressed initial concern that Watt could miss the preseason. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, however, that Watt is expected to "not miss much time" after doctor's pop the joint back in Thursday afternoon. "We dodged another bullet," said Kubiak. All the tests came out good." A linchpin in one of the league's most talented defenses, Watt is in no danger of missing regular-season action.

Texans DC Wade Phillips is already predicting a Hall of Fame career path for second-year DE J.J. Watt.

Phillips compares Watt to Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long. "He's going to be a bust -- not a first-round bust but a bust in the Hall of Fame," Phillips said. "The only players I've seen that can do what he can do with his intensity can be found in Canton ... He's powerful, and he's got a great feel for what it takes to play his position. He dominated the line of scrimmage against two playoff teams ... He wants to be a great player." Watt is one of several reasons the Texans are a top-10 fantasy defense this year.

J.J. Watt "hit the proverbial rookie wall and destroyed it" in the Texans' two playoff games, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Watt earned well-deserved kudos for his athletic, game-changing pick-six in the win over the Bengals. He was even better at Baltimore, exploding for 12 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and three QB hurries. Watt earned the moniker "The Milkman" from teammates because he always delivers. Houston's "Bulls on Parade" defense may have more young talent than any in the NFL.

As expected, the Titans immediately installed No. 11 overall pick J.J. Watt as the starting left defensive end to open training camp.

The Texans do this with their first-rounder ever year, and they've enjoyed success with the approach for the most part. Watt made an immediate impression on teammates and onlookers, batting down two balls in a drill. "If today's any indication, he's going to be just fine," said coach Gary Kubiak.

Texans signed No. 11 overall pick DE J.J. Watt to a four-year, $11.23 million contract.

Watt will play the five-technique left end opposite Antonio Smith with Mario Williams moving to outside linebacker. Explosive and athletic, the 6'6/290 Watt tallied 36.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and 14 pass breakups in two years at Wisconsin. The Texans are up-and-coming defense with Wade Phillips calling the shots.