Jadeveon Clowney is happy to be back at practice this week, even if he is limited. He spent his bye week rehabbing his knee, which has improved. It's the best he's felt since his injury in the Texans season opener against Washington.
"It helped me a lot,' Clowney said of the bye week. "Coming in every day, I got a lot of treatment on that week off, and feeling a little bit better."
Now he could return as early as Sunday, but remains a game-time decision at Cleveland, according to Bill O'Brien. Clowney, who was on a limited snap count against the Titans nearly three weeks ago, feels better about cutting and doing more when he returns.
"Yeah, I've developed a lot more confidence in my knee," Clowney said. "I feel like I can do a lot more than I did back in the Tennessee game. I'm just looking forward to getting on the field."
Knee issues kept the rookie outside linebacker out of seven-consecutive games following his arthroscopic surgery on September 8. Then, he missed the Texans Week 9 matchup against Philadelphia with the flu.
"If he's able to get on the field, then I think we'll have a better idea about where he is and what kind of contribution that he'll make," defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said Thursday. "Still, he's a rookie, hasn't had any playing time, virtually. It's all kind of new when you get out there."
This week, Clowney has been practicing without a knee brace and doesn't plan on wearing one should he be activated against the Browns.
"I don't have to use one right now," Clowney said. "I don't have to wear one. My knee's doing fine right now at this point. I just hope it stays like this."
