J.J. Watt passed his physical on Sunday and will return to practice on Monday, a good sign that he'll be ready for Houston’s opener against Chicago on Sept. 11.

Watt missed all of training camp and the Texans’ four preseason games after surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back in July.

The Texans activated him from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday before Sunday’s announcement that he passed his physical.

Watt, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in three of the past four seasons, hasn’t missed a game in his five-year career.

Sanchez signed

The Cowboys signed Mark Sanchez and waived Jameill Showers in a swap of backup quarterbacks behind rookie starter Dak Prescott. Dallas signed the six-year veteran to a one-year contract. Tony Romo remained on the active roster amid uncertainty on how long he will be out with a broken bone in his back sustained in a preseason game . . . The San Diego Chargers claimed former Boston College star Andre Williams from the Giants, along with cornerback Pierre Desir from Cleveland and defensive tackle Caraun Reid from Detroit. To make room, the team waived cornerback Steve Williams, tight end Asante Cleveland, and OLB Chris Landrum . . . The Buccaneers signed former Boston College linebacker Josh Keyes to their practice squad.

Ravens get Hester

The Baltimore Ravens reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year deal with receiver Devin Hester. Hester, 33, comes to Baltimore after spending the last several months recovering from offseason toe surgery. “He is a proven returner, both as a kick returner and a punt returner,’’ coach John Harbaugh said. The Ravens also signed former Navy star Keenan Reynolds to their practice squad. After scoring an NCAA-record 88 rushing touchdowns as Navy’s quarterback, Reynolds was drafted in the sixth round this year by Baltimore . . . The Steelers placed outside linebacker Bud Dupree on the team’s injured reserve list. He missed the preseason with a groin injury. Pittsburgh also signed linebacker Steven Johnson . . . The New York Jets claimed tight ends Braedon Bowman from Jacksonville and Brian Parker from Kansas City. New York also was awarded running back Troymaine Pope from Seattle and cornerback Darryl Roberts from New England. The Jets waived injured running back Khiry Robinson, who was hurt in the preseason finale last Thursday at Philadelphia. They also waived cornerback Dexter McDougle, a third-round draft pick in 2014; safety Ronald Martin; and running back Dominique William.

Titans claim AmaroThe Tennessee Titans claimed tight end Jace Amaro off waivers from the Jets and waived former BC defensive lineman Mehdi Abdesmad. Amaro, a 2014 second-round pick from Texas Tech, caught 38 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season . . . The Indianapolis Colts claimed safety Matthias Farley and cornerback Neiko Thorpe off waivers. Farley, an undrafted rookie, was cut Saturday by Arizona. Thorpe played in 37 games with Kansas City and Oakland, but was cut Saturday by the Raiders. Indy released cornerback Jalil Brown and tight end Chase Coffman . . . The Jacksonville Jaguars claimed linebacker Arthur Brown off waivers from Baltimore and safety Marqueston Huff off waivers from Tennessee. The Jaguars also signed veteran receiver Arrelious Benn. The club released running back Joe Banyard and placed offensive tackle Josh Wells (thumb) on injured reserve. Huff will begin the season on the suspended list . . . The Bengals claimed rookie Jeff Driskel off waivers from San Francisco, giving them a No. 3 quarterback. Driskel, from Louisiana Tech, played in four preseason games for the 49ers and went 15 of 31 for 132 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bengals also put Pro Bowl special teams player Cedric Peerman and cornerback William Jackson III — their first-round pick — on injured reserve. Cincinnati waived linebacker P.J. Dawson, who played in 11 games as a rookie last season. The Bengals re-signed fifth-year cornerback Chykie Brown and second-year guard Trey Hopkins, both of whom were released Saturday.

Hunter to DolphinsReceiver Justin Hunter was claimed by the Miami Dolphins, who waived receiver Griff Whalen. Hunter was a second-round draft pick in 2013 by the Titans. He started five games last year and had 22 receptions for 264 yards and one score . . . The New York Giants were awarded defensive tackle Robert Thomas on waivers from Carolina. The Giants waived defensive tackle Montori Hughes. Thomas played in all four of Carolina’s preseason games and had seven tackles, including two for a loss . . . The Panthers claimed defensive end Lavar Edwards off waivers from the Buffalo Bills and released defensive end Wes Horton . . . The Seattle Seahawks claimed defensive tackle Garrison Smith off waivers. Smith spent the preseason with San Francisco and played well for the 49ers with 15 tackles and four sacks.