HOUSTON -- It has been only seven months since Deshaun Watson needed surgery on his right ACL, but according to those around him, it's hard to tell the second-year quarterback is still coming back from injury.

On Tuesday, running back Lamar Miller said he wouldn't even know Watson was injured if the Houston Texans' coaching staff wasn't easing him back into his on-field work.

"I can't really notice any issues with his knee, other than his coaches holding him back from certain drills," Miller said. "He's very confident after his success in his rookie season, and he's definitely ready to take that next step."

At the beginning of organized team activities, Watson took the field with his teammates for the first time since he tore the ACL in his right leg in an early November practice. On Tuesday, Watson didn't wear a brace on his right knee for the first time this offseason in the practices that have been open to the media.

During OTAs, the quarterback has been participating in esven-on-seven drills, but sitting out the team drills involving players rushing the passer. Watson has said all offseason he expects to be at full strength by training camp and be the Texans' starting quarterback to open the season against the New England Patriots.

"In individual and then obviously seven-on-seven, routes on air, those types of things, he's doing well," Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan said. "He's progressing well. I think he's making kind of the steps that we want him to. He's looking to get better every day, and that's really where the focus has been, whether it be in the classroom, off the tape or off of the reps that he does get on the field."

In seven games last season, Watson threw for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Before he tore his ACL, Watson was on pace to obliterate the NFL record for passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback.