When the Texans selected Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, they did so with visions of him and J.J. Watt forming a lethal pass rushing duo. Unfortunately, a knee injury cut Clowney’s season short, limiting him to just four games. After microfracture surgery in December, and progressing through rehab since, it appears Clowney and Watt will both be on the field when the Texans face the Chiefs in Week 1.
Head coach Bill O’Brien indicated he thinks Clowney is on track to play in the season opener on September 13. After being made aware of O’Brien’s expectations during a session with the media, Clowney had quite the reaction.
.@Clownejd finds out mid-presser that he’s on track to play Week 1.
(HINT: He's excited) http://t.co/fJISDxI8sU
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2015
“Oh, Bill said that huh?”, Clowney said before smiling and breaking out a whistle. “It’s pretty good. I’m working hard, coming out here with the team. We doing good. I’m feeling good. Just trying to keep working, and get better and better every day. Hopefully it leads up to me playing in the first game,” he continued.
Clowney will not participate in this weekend’s game against the Saints and is unlikely to play in the preseason finale.
As long as there are no setbacks, Texans fans should look forward to their prized draft pick wreaking havoc in the Chiefs backfield in a couple of weeks. Alex Smith, on the other hand, probably isn’t all that excited.
