The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald is fined for his illegal block against the Texans.

The operative, unwanted word used to surround Texans hybrid pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney was “potential,” as in the unfulfilled type.

An athletically gifted former top overall pick from South Carolina, Clowney battled numerous injuries during his first two NFL seasons, limiting his impact.

That’s no longer the case. A healthy Clowney has emerged as the scourge of offensive lines.

Clowney has a careerhigh eight sacks this season and 15 tackles for losses, which ties him with Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones for the NFL lead.

“Since we’ve had him, I think that he’s an instinctive player,” Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel said of Clowney, who’s been nursing an ankle injury. “He’s trying to take care of his body. The way he plays puts a lot of stress on the body because he plays hard, he plays fast and violent.

“For him to be available is huge for us. He’s been a disruptive run player, and he continues to work on his pass rush.”

With 31 tackles for losses in the past 24 games, Clowney leads all NFL players during that span. For his career, he has 18½ sacks and 42 tackles for losses.

Under contract through the 2018 season with a $13.8 million team option, Clowney is expected to eventually land a contract in excess of $100 million as the highest-paid defensive player in the game. His accomplishments have been noticed around the NFL.

“Fulfilling promise,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Clowney during a conference call. “He’s a game-wrecker. He’s all over the field. The defensive coaches do an outstanding job of hiding him and moving him around and making it tough to find him. He’s been tremendous.”