Jadeveon Clowney Injury: Updates on Texans OLB's Knee and Return

Houston Texans star Jadeveon Clowney had been recovering from soreness in his knee that he suffered in early August. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Clowney Will Play vs. Saints

Saturday, Aug. 20

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported Clowney would play against New Orleans on Saturday.

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Clowney Comments on Injury

Wednesday, Aug. 17

"Knee feels fine," Clowney said, per the Texans' official Twitter account. "I'm good to go, back out here with the team and ready to go."

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O'Brien Comments on Clowney's Return to Practice

Tuesday, Aug. 16

"I thought he did a good job," Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said, per the Texans. "That's a very competitive position. [Clowney] comes back and he adds to that mix."

O'Brien added that "Clowney did more than expected" at practice, per Jayson Braddock of SportsTalk 790, and said "sure" when asked if Clowney would play Saturday against the New Orleans Saints.

Mark Berman of Fox 26 provided a picture of Clowney practicing:

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Clowney Health Concerns Clouding Enormous Potential on Field

Any physical setback for the former No. 1 overall pick is cause for concern considering injuries have hampered his short career.

Clowney played only four games in his rookie season in 2014. He appeared in 13 games during the regular season in 2015, although he missed the finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a foot injury.

When healthy, Clowney gives the Texans another pass-rushing presence alongside superstar J.J. Watt. He is arguably the top player in football and consistently draws double-teams, which allows players such as Clowney to take advantage of single-protection schemes on the way to the quarterback. As a result, the former South Carolina star finished with 4.5 sacks in 2015.

Watt is the engine that makes the defense run (although he is recovering from back surgery), and Vince Wilfork adds championship experience and the ability to occupy multiple blockers in the middle. The Texans also have Whitney Mercilus, who is fresh off a career-high 12 sacks in 2015 from the linebacker position.

Adding Clowney to that mix only makes the defense stronger.