JJ Watt has second back surgery, will miss rest of season

HOUSTON – J.J. Watt underwent back surgery on Thursday, meaning he will definitely miss the remainder of the 2016 season, according to multiple media reports.

The Texans placed star defensive end Watt on injured reserve on Wednesday, one day after a person familiar with Watt's condition told The Associated Press he had re-injured his back.

Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, missed training camp and Houston's four preseason games after surgery in July to repair a herniated disk in his back. He started each of the team's three regular-season games and got hurt again Thursday against the Patriots.

The Texans signed veteran defensive end Antonio Smith to take his spot on the roster.