USC Gamecocks Football

Not even an injury can stop Gamecock great Jadeveon Clowney from dominating NFL game

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is grabbed by Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston.
San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is grabbed by Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. AP

Most NFL teams haven’t been able to stop Jadeveon Clowney this season, so no way an injury was going to keep the South Carolina Gamecock great from making his mark.

Clowney, who has been listed on the Houston Texans injury report most of the season with an ailing knee, left Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half. Official word wasn’t been released why Clowney limped off the field, but he wasn’t out for long.

Almost as soon as he returned, the Rock Hill native resumed his dominant form. He was all over San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and spent so much time in the 49ers backfield, he could’ve been considered part of the offense.

Clowney has played the best football of his NFL career this season, and even while nursing an injury he continued to set personal records. He recorded his 20th tackle for loss this season against the 49ers, a single-season career-high and the second most in the NFL this year.

The former No. 1 overall draft pick finished the game with six tackles, including two for loss, and four quarterback hits. Pro Football Journal reported Clowney has 11 stuffs on the season, second best in the NFL.

On the season, Clowney has a career-best nine sacks, 46 tackles, 20 for a loss and two forced fumbles.

While the Texans (4-9) don’t have any postseason hopes, don’t tell that to Clowney who has been playing as hard as could be expected if Houston was competing for a berth in the Super Bowl. Texans fans have taken notice, applauding the former Gamecocks’ exceptional effort.

This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Not even an injury can stop Gamecock great Jadeveon Clowney from dominating NFL game."

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