The Houston Texans missed star rookie Jadeveon Clowney in last Sunday’s 21-31 loss to the Eagles reportedly due to an illness. The latest Houston Texans news indicates that wasn’t the only thing going on. Apparently Jadeveon Clowney’s knee still hurt after his Sept. 28 surgery, part of the reason he missed Sunday’s game against the Eagles.
Perhaps worse than hearing Jadeveon Clowney’s knee still hurt was the outside linebacker’s comment that he’s only “aiming” to return for the Texans game two weeks from now. The Texans have a bye this weekend.
Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, Clowney said “There are certain things going on with my knee still. I’m not able to do the things I want to do. It’s just not where it needs to be right now. We’re taking a step back and trying to get it to where we need it be so I can play.”
Clowney clearly stated his lingering knee pain wasn’t the only thing keeping him from last week’s Eagles game. He truly did have a virus, telling reporters that he wasn’t even able to practice during the second half of last week because he was home sick in bed.
However, hearing that Clowney’s knee hasn’t fully recovered since his arthroscopic surgery on September 8 is troubling for the Texans faithful.
The Texans drafted Clowney with the first overall pick to team him up with defensive end JJ Watt. Between Clowney and Watt, the Texans were one of the NFL’s most imposing defenses on paper. Though JJ Watt has been on fire this season with 26 tackles and 8.5 sacks, the Texans have managed just the 11th-ranked overall defense this season.
As it stands today, Clowney hopes to return in Week 11, though he can’t confirm that he will.
“That’s what we’re working toward right now,” Clowney said Wednesday on the Houston Texans website. “I don’t know for right now but we’re taking it one day at a time. I’m just trying to get better and get back out there.”