Jadeveon Clowney Placed on Injured Reserve, Will Undergo Knee Surgery

As loaded as the 2014 NFL draft was with talented, immediate-impact players, its No. 1 overall pick, Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, has had an unproductive and injury-riddled rookie season.     

Houston elected to shut down Clowney for the rest of the season on Thursday, placing him on injured reserve with a right knee injury. Head coach Bill O'Brien spoke about Clowney's status:

ESPN's Adam Schefter highlighted how underwhelming Clowney has been in his maiden NFL campaign:

Bleacher Report medical expert Dave Siebert provided context for Clowney's injury recently:

Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel defended Clowney:

Clowney's long-term health is of paramount importance to the Texans in light of Thursday's decision. Their defense could be downright scary with a healthy Clowney and J.J. Watt along the front seven for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, Clowney wasn't on the field enough to flash his potential in 2014. He'll have to work hard in rehabbing his knee and come back with invigorated purpose. If his critics don't relent, Clowney ought to have plenty of fuel added to his motivational fire.

Even without Clowney for much of the year, Houston is 10th in scoring defense entering Week 14 and still in the playoff hunt with a 6-6 record.

That has to be encouraging for Texans fans. If and when Clowney shows what he can do with his amazing combination of size and athleticism, Houston figures to be all the more formidable in the years to come.