Bill O'Brien Comments on Jadeveon Clowney's Rookie Season with the Texans

Jadeveon Clowney has been the target of criticism during a disappointing rookie season, but don't include Bill O'Brien in that group.

The Houston Texans head coach, via ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli, defended his No. 1 overall pick, who has been unable to make a significant impact due to a variety of injuries:

"

This guy has worked extremely hard to recover from injuries. And I want to be real clear about this with him, as it relates to us here to the Houston Texans. We think very highly of him. We know he's going to be a really good player. He's been unlucky. I don't really care what anybody thinks about what I say in that realm of being unlucky or lucky. He's had a sports hernia, he's had a concussion and now he's dealing with a knee injury. Those things are not easy in your rookie year.

"

Unwarranted criticism is quickly developing as the overarching theme of Clowney's football career. He was lambasted during his final year in college for an alleged lack of effort, and zero NFL sacks have led to suggestions that he's a bust.

But as O'Brien alluded to, injuries have played a major role in his slow start. He underwent surgery for a sports hernia in June, suffered a concussion during the preseason and needed another surgery after tearing his meniscus in Week 1.

The latter has lingered for the entirety of the season, leading Clowney to admit last week he is still playing "with a great deal of pain." As Bleacher Report's Dave Siebert noted, that's normal:

There's no question that Clowney's rookie season has been a letdown. But let's wait until he at least plays a full game at 100 percent before passing judgement. To confuse his disappointing campaign with a lack of talent—or to suggest he's already a bust—is lazy.

He is still 21 years old, still has the rare talent and physical traits that made him the No. 1 overall selection and still has an undeniably bright future.

O'Brien is in agreement of the latter, and that's all that matters.