Last week, Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney gave an update on his condition after having microfracture surgery on his knee.
Clowney said he was working hard and making progress toward a 2015 return, but declined to say when he might be ready to get back on the field beyond saying that he wasn’t going to rush things. Judy Battista of NFL Media reports that the team hopes that Clowney will be able to return to football work near the end of training camp in August, which is about eight months after his surgery.
If Clowney returns to practice at that point, the question would shift to one of when he’ll be able to play in a game and then to whether he’ll be the same kind of player he was during a college career that led the Texans to make him the first overall pick in the draft.
“Like I tell him, it’ll all come down to what he does when he puts the pads on,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Can he stay? Can he take care of his body? There’s no question about his ability to affect the game. He’s a hell of a player, but he’s got to be out there.”
If Clowney can get out there and play at a high level, the Texans front will be a dangerous one for opposing offenses as they try to repeat 2014’s winning record while adding a playoff berth to their results.
