Jadeveon Clowney is ready.
The defensive end sat out Sunday's loss at Tennessee with wrist and elbow issues, and but said he's now feeling "great" and "ready to go" for Saturday's Wild Card playoff game against the Raiders.
The team's lone Pro Bowler rang up 16 tackles for loss and six sacks this season, and said he and his teammates are enjoying themselves.
"I'm having fun, having a good time," Clowney said. "We're all just trying to win. As long as you're winning, you're always happy. Looking forward to having a big game this week, and try to push moving onto the playoffs."
The Texans defense finished first in the NFL with just 301.1 yards per game allowed. According to nose tackle Vince Wilfork, Clowney was one of the main reasons why.
"At any given second, he can explode and give us plays," Wilfork said. "At this point, that's what you need. You need guys stepping up, giving you plays, being able to steal plays here and there. I think with the type of player he is, he's going to always give us that chance. Any time he's on the field, good things can happen for us."
Clowney's ability to play through injury and make such a disruptive impact on opposing offenses has been
fun to see for A.J. Bouye. The cornerback appreciates the struggle Clowney's gone through the past few seasons to flourish and contribute in 2016.
"He just kept working," Bouye said. "You see how much of a team player he is. We have his back and you see that he has our backs. He's made a lot of plays this year and I'm glad to see all of the hard work that he has put in so far to get where he's at."
Duane Brown's had a unique view of Clowney's career. The left tackle has had to contend with the young pass rusher in practice for the last three seasons, and has often explained how Clowney is a one-of-a-kind talent.
"Just seeing what he has been through and his career, to see him healthy, somewhat healthy out there flying around, being disruptive, doing what everyone knew he could do when he got here," Brown said. "It's a sight to watch. He's a very special talent with a lot of ability."
Clowney and the Texans went through a "jog-through" practice on Tuesday, and will practice again on Wednesday and Thursday. They host Oakland on Saturday at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:35 p.m. CT.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
DL, Mario Addison, #97
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
Arizona Cardinals' Eno Benjamin (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #50
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
OL, Kenyon Green, #59.
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
FB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
LB, Christian Harris, #48
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #93
TE, O.J. Howard, #83
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
DL, Jaleel Johnson, #90
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbo Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
DB, Jalen Pitre, #5
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
WR, Amari Rodgers
DB, Tremon Smith, #1.
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
LS, Jon Weeks #46
