Jadeveon Clowney will play against the Chiefs.
Bill O'Brien doesn't know how much, but he's certain the outside linebacker will make an impact.
All offseason and preseason, the head coach repeatedly praised the discipline and determination Clowney showed in the return from knee microfracture surgery. But in a Monday press conference, O'Brien was
talkative about Clowney's smarts.
"I've always felt good about him mentally, as far as the X's and O's," O'Brien said. "He's a very bright football player."
At 6-feet-5 inches and 266 pounds, Clowney ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Combine. His 'measurables' are often the first thing mentioned when his name is discussed. But O'Brien's been impressed with what he's seen from the former South Carolina Gamecock in the meeting room with linebacker coach Mike Vrabel.
"When he fires questions at Jadeveon, the guy knows the answers," O'Brien said. "Our defense, it's not always the easiest thing to pick that thing up, especially when you're not practicing. Clearly, he has good football intelligence."
Clowney appeared in four games in 2014, as he was slowed and then ultimately shut down, because of a knee injury. He's practiced with the Texans since August 17, and said he's not feeling any pain in his knee.
The players are off on Tuesday, and will return to practice Wednesday at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/14/2021)
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
TE, Antony Auclair
DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt
DB, Terrence Brooks
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
OL, Cohl Cabral, #72
OL, Marcus Cannon
WR, Randall Cobb, #18
DL, Maliek Collins
WR, Chris Conley
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82
WR, Keke Coutee, #16
DB, Keion Crossen, #35
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
LB, Tae Davis
DL, Brandon Dunn, #92
LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53
WR, Alex Erickson
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
QB, Ryan Finley
OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77
LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill
LB, Nate Hall, #48
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
RB, Buddy Howell, #38
RB, Mark Ingram
TE, Ryan Izzo
LB, Jordan Jenkins
RB, David Johnson, #31
DL, Jaleel Johnson
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32
P, Cameron Johnston
DB, Desmond King
LB, Christian Kirksey
DL, Shaq Lawson
RB, Phillip Lindsay
LB, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray
LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59
DB, Terrance Mitchell
WR, Donte Moncrief
DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33
WR, Chris Moore
DB, Eric Murray, #23
LB, Hardy Nickerson
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
TE, Paul Quessenberry
DB, John Reid, #34
DB, Justin Reid, #20
DL, Derek Rivers
WR, Andre Roberts
DB, Bradley Roby, #21
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Tremon Smith
OL, Jordan Steckler
QB, Tyrod Taylor
DL, Vincent Taylor
LB, Joe Thomas
DB, Tavierre Thomas
OL, Cole Toner
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
TE, Kahale Warring, #81
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
