Texans, Pats tune up with joint practice

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA.» After missing 13 games last season after back surgery, J.J. Watt relishes any chance to compete.

So Houston’s star defensive end was positively giddy on Tuesday after he and the Texans had the first of two joint practices with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

“It’s always good to go out there and get some reps against somebody of that caliber,” Watt said. “It’s a lot of fun. Anytime you put two good teams together on the practice field and get great reps like we had today, you’re going to get better.”

The defending Super Bowl champions came to West Virginia for the week to prepare with the Texans before the teams meet in the second preseason game on Saturday night in Houston. They worked for about two hours together on Tuesday amid light to moderate rain showers.

Both teams believe these practices are a valuable tool for preparing for the season and breaking the monotony of training camp.

“That’s the great thing about these practices ... that you have an opportunity to get out of training camp,” New England receiver Julian Edelman said.

“It’s almost like when you’re in school and you go on a field trip. You may be learning things, but it’s like 10 times better than being in class.”

Texans quarterback Tom Savage was excited to get some work in against another defense and also had fun being on the same field with Brady, whom he called “the greatest quarterback of all time.”

“What’s better than that ... even though I’m a starting quarterback in this league, I’m still a fan of this game,” Savage said. “It’s fun to watch.”

BRETT COOMER - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) leaps up over Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) to catch a pass during a joint NFL football practice, Tuesday, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.