‘Ready to go’ Clowney has first full practice
Swiveling his hips and dropping back into pass coverage, Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney shed rust on the fly Monday afternoon.
At the Texans’ indoor practice facility, Clowney participated in his first full practice of the year after undergoing offseason arthroscopic knee surgery.
Although he has a lot of catching up to do, Clowney is happy to get to do more with his teammates after participating on a limited basis for half the preseason.
“It was great,” Clowney said. “I’m happy to be back out here with my teammates and get ready for the season. It’s very special, man.
“It’s been a long three weeks since training camp started. I’m just happy to be back out here with the guys and looking forward to playing the Rams.”
Clowney emphasized that it was difficult for him to not be full-go for the majority of training camp, but he has put his frustrations behind him.
He also has made a full recovery from the knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row.
“I’m good to go. I’m ready to go,” he said. “My knee feels great. It felt great. It’s been feeling good.”
Clowney has no restrictions on his activity level. He would love to make his preseason debut Saturday at Los Angeles against the Rams, but that has not been determined.
“It’s very important to get out there and get some live plays, be-
cause I’m going to be getting out there with the guys I’m going to be playing with during the season,” Clowney said. “We need to get our chemistry together, and I haven’t been out there with them. So for me to get out there and get going, it’ll be great for me. I’m good enough to play.”
Clowney is one of the most disruptive pass rushers and run stoppers in the NFL. He had a career-high 9½ sacks last season.
Coach Bill O’Brien was encouraged by what he saw from the former top overall pick from South Carolina.
“He did all right,” O’Brien said. “He’s been working. I know it’s maybe a full practice, but he’s been out here. So it was fine.”
With Clowney, 25, entering his fifth NFL season and due a $12.306 million fifth-year club option, no contract extension is imminent or expected for the Pro Bowler. Although both sides have expressed a mutual desire to extend their business relationship on a long-term basis, a new deal isn’t in the offing at this time or before the start of the regular season.
“I don’t really pay any attention,” Clowney said. “It’s all about football and trying to win games. Super Bowl, that’s the goal. All this working out during the offseason and training and getting in shape and eating healthy is all for one reason, and that’s the Super Bowl.
“Not the money, just really about the Super Bowl. I think the coaches did a good job putting our team together. They compete. Put the right guys in the right situations, and we can win with this team.”
Does Clowney want to remain with the Texans on a long-term basis?
“Yeah, I do,” he said. “I like Houston.”
Clowney was voted 32nd in the NFL Network’s annual top 100 players list in balloting conducted by players.
And he can’t wait to team up with a healthy J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus this fall.
“With them guys, the sky is the limit for this defense,” Clowney said. “If we stay healthy, I don’t see much bad going wrong with this defensive line and this secondary we put together. I’m excited about this team and this defense.”