Clowney says he feels like a rookie again after return to practice
Jadeveon Clowney knew he had a mountain to climb. He just didn’t know how high and how long the journey would take.
Monday was the first peak for the Rock Hill native. Clowney returned to limited action with Texans after an extended layoff and grueling rehab process following season-ending microfracture surgery that ended his rookie season.
After rebuilding his knee from scratch, the ex-South Carolina star was allowed to go through minor drills as the Texans continued training camp and prepared for preseason game No. 2 against Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos on Saturday at NRG Stadium.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien intentionally held Clowney back Monday. But the initial results were promising as the 2014 No. 1 pick targets an undetermined date for his regular-season return.
“I went through a lot,” Clowney said near NRG Stadium. “It was hard work but we’re pulling it off. I had a lot of help, a lot of assistance from guys – from my teammates, from the trainers, my family. Everybody supported me through the whole thing. So, still a little ways to go, but we’re in the right direction.”
Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, who twice has blown out his knee, has aided the second-year pro. He lived through the pain of back-to-back season-ending injuries and the monotonous rehabs that followed. As one of the Texans’ longest-tenured players, Cushing is a shoulder for Clowney to lean on.
“You knew he wanted to play football again,” Cushing said. “He wanted to be back and doing his thing – and that’s playing. He is very passionate, motivated and focused towards getting back here and playing. The kid loves football and did a great job in the offseason getting back towards that.”
Former Gamecock standout Johnathan Joseph is a longtime supporter of Clowney. The veteran Texans cornerback said Clowney upheld his part of the bargain and now needs to remain injury-free to contribute to the team’s intriguing 2015 season.
“He did his research as well. Everybody put their minds together,” Joseph said. “I am on the outside looking in, but this is just from speaking to him day to day. He talked with guys who played before who have had the injury. I think he went down his whole checklist and just making sure everything was in order, and I think he stuck to the plan. Everything worked itself out.”
Clowney entered camp in good shape and said he reached a turning point during organized team activities. He begged O’Brien to let him rush the passer Monday. But the second-year coach preached the long road to an athlete who remains the Texans’ most high-profile draft pick.
“I spent time with him. He and I talk,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, when we went with the surgery with him, we felt like that was the best thing for him. At that time, we probably spoke the most about how important rehab was going to be. I think he took that to heart. He worked hard and now he’s back out here, which is good.”
The Texans will ramp up Clowney slowly during the preseason. Whether he’s active for Week 1 continues to be a question. As does how much a defense – which already has J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork – can expect from Clowney in 2015.
Returning to the practice field is one thing; making an impact during the season is another. The Texans have gotten good at publicly gauging Clowney’s health and week-to-week status. They still have no idea what they posses in the most talented player on the roster not named Watt.
“I’m very anxious,” Clowney said. “It’s going to be great to be out there, rushing the passer and just putting my hands on other guys. I’ve been hitting these dummies for so long and nobody hits back. So we’re going to see how it goes.”
This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 5:26 PM.