Clowney upbeat for camp opening
Defensive stalwart making progress in rehab after surgery
Racing ahead of a group of youth football players giving chase, Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney broke into a big smile Saturday morning.
During a youth football camp at the Methodist Training Center, Clowney was upbeat about his outlook for training camp after an offseason during which he was sidelined for every practice while rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Clowney sought a second medical opinion in the spring from Dr. James Andrews and received a positive medical prognosis. Whatever the two-time Pro Bowl selection’s level of activity is at the start of training camp in West Virginia this week — and he is expected to be eased into drills — the expectation is that he will be fine when it matters at the start of the regular season.
Clowney didn’t get into specifics about his knee, but sources not authorized to speak publicly reiterated that his health is not expected to be an issue.
“I’m ready, man,” Clowney said. “I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to the season. I’m
great, I’m good. See you guys at camp.”
Clowney, 25, is entering his fifth NFL season. He is due a $12.3 million fifth-year club option, but no contract extension is imminent for the former top overall draft pick from South Carolina.
Although both sides have expressed a mutual desire to extend their business relationship on a long-term basis, a new deal isn’t necessarily in the offing at this time or before the start of the regular season.
“I want to be here, too,” Clowney said early in the offseason. “Hopefully, they lock me in. I want to be here forever. I know it will come soon. It would mean a lot.”
One of the most disruptive pass rushers and run defenders in the NFL, Clowney was voted 32nd in the NFL Network’s annual top 100 players list in balloting conducted by players.
Clowney said he has missed being on the field with his teammates.
“I’m looking forward to it; I’m ready,” he said. “It seems like it’s been so long. This is the longest offseason ever. I just hope everybody be healthy. Stay healthy, that’s our key this year.
“I haven’t seen the guys in a while. That’s the one thing I miss the most about the game is that locker-room talk.”
Clowney interacted with the campers, ages 7 to 13, and demonstrated drills.
“It was great to see the smiles on their faces and doing some of the drills that we do,” Clowney said. “Some of them are pretty good. I’ll probably see some of them in the future.
“Being a role model is big for me. Stay out of trouble, do everything by the book and do things the right way.”