The last two seasons for Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt have seen him experience much difficulty staying on the field after playing just eight games over that span.

However, he appears to be making significant progress in his recovery from a broken leg with his focus on getting back on the field to begin the 2018 season. According to Peter King of NBC Sports, Watt has voiced that he has much confidence that he will be able to return to playing like one of the best defensive players in the league.

“I don’t expect anybody else to be convinced. I don’t expect anybody outside to have any reason to believe that. The last two years were two very bad years. There were some dark moments in there. But I’ve also come out the other side of it better because of some of the experiences that I had. So I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m not going to stand here and pretend like I can tell you exactly what’s going to happen in the season or how it’s going to go. But I feel very good with where I’m at right now. I’m not going to make any proclamations about comparing things to the past or what I’m going to do in the future, but I will say I feel very good.”

Prior to the injuries, Watt was playing at an elite level with a historic pace that saw him earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards while becoming the first player to notch at least 20 sacks multiple times. During this span, he also received four Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro nods that had made him arguably the best defensive player in the league.

This is likely why the Texans are taking the precautionary approach with his recovery by bringing him along progressively with his on-the-field activity. There is currently some uncertainty about whether he will take the field in the preseason, but the hope is that he can get a game under his belt before the start of the regular season.

Nonetheless, it is clear that Watt is motivated to prove that not only he's past his injury issues but also still able to perform at an elite level.