Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Friday that linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was unlikely to play on Monday night against the Bengals and the team made it official this weekend.
Clowney has been ruled out because of a back injury that kept him from practicing this week. It will be the second game that Clowney misses this season and the 14th time he’s been out of the lineup since the Texans took him with the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. Whitney Mercilus and John Simon will start at outside linebacker.
The Texans will also be without cornerback Kareem Jackson, who is out for the third straight game because of an ankle injury. 2015 first-round pick Kevin Johnson will start with Johnathan Joseph.
Bengals right tackle Andre Smith has been ruled out due to the concussion that kept him out of the team’s Week Nine victory over the Browns. Eric Winston will get the start against his former team.
