WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — After missing 13 games last season after back surgery, defensive end J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans relishes any chance to compete.

So he was positively giddy Tuesday after the first of two joint practices with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

This weekend, they may do it in a game, but on Tuesday it was practice as Chris Hogan of the Patriots was upended by Kevin Johnson of the Texans. Associated Press/ Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

“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 Patriots came to West Virginia for the week to prepare with the Texans before the teams meet in the second preseason game Saturday night in Houston. They worked for about two hours together amid light to moderate rain showers.

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

“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 work against another defense and had fun being on the 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.”

Brady didn’t speak to reporters but didn’t seem to enjoy the practice as much as many other players. He barked at teammates after less-than-stellar plays during practice, but the Patriots didn’t seem to mind.

“When you’ve got a leader that wants to go out and practice at the ultimate, highest level, when something that you should do doesn’t go right, there’s going to be a little fire under that and that’s what you need from your leader,” Edelman said. “That’s just Tommy being Tommy.”

Tuesday was also a chance for New England Coach Bill Belichick to reunite with Houston Coach Bill O’Brien, who was an assistant on his staff from 2007-11. He also caught up with Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, who played for him from 2001-08 and offensive/special teams assistant Wes Welker, who spent 2007-12 playing for the Patriots.

Belichick was complimentary of O’Brien and two former players who joined him in Houston, and added that he knew Vrabel would end up in coaching.

“The program has gotten stronger every year,” Belichick said. “I’m sure they’re continuing to head up. We have a lot of respect for Bill and his coaching staff, this football team.”