Coach thinks Clowney working hard alone
As an unsigned franchise tag player, Jadeveon Clowney isn’t required to attend any of the Texans’ offseason workouts, practices or training camp.
Under NFL collective bargaining agreement rules governing franchise players, Clowney is exercising his right to not attend organized team activities that launched Monday. Clowney is also expected to be absent for a full-team minicamp in June and possibly miss at least a portion of training camp, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
No deal is in sight or expected anytime soon for Clowney, who has been assigned a $15.967 million franchise tender. If Clowney misses any regular-season games, though, he would forfeit a $939,235 game check each week.
Clowney is expected to report at some point before the start of the regular season.
While Clowney is unlikely to be with his teammates this offseason, Texans coach Bill O’Brien expressed confidence that the former top overall pick from South Carolina is preparing diligently on his own.
“I have every belief and trust that JD’s working on his own and getting ready for whenever he does decide to show up,” O’Brien said. “JD’s played good football for us. He knows what it takes to be ready for training camp and things like that. I’m not saying when he’s going to be here. He could be here tomorrow.
“I have no idea when he’s going to be here. It’s up to him. But I do know that we believe in the guys that are here and we’re working hard with those guys right now.”