Watching, but not doing, has had to suffice for Jadeveon Clowney.
The rookie linebacker is a week removed from surgery for a sports hernia, and he spent the three-day minicamp on the sidelines learning with his eyes.
"I take mental reps when I'm out there watching everybody else go through it," Clowney said. "I get a lot of extra help getting in here early all the time now. Just getting a lot of film study."
Clowney wouldn't set a timetable on an exact return from the injury, and reiterated that his rehab is day-by-day process. But he'll spend the next month and change before training camp "going to rehab
every day" here in Houston at NRG Stadium.
"I'm looking forward to getting ready for camp," Clowney said. Despite Clowney missing a pair of OTAs due to the injury, in addition to the three minicamp practices, head coach Bill O'Brien is confident in the first overall pick.
"We feel like he is on track," O'Brien said. "Again, a little setback here with the sports hernia, but he's been in all of the meetings and he's an instinctive guy and he's a hardworking guy. He's a guy that has come in here when he could practice and did some good things."
O'Brien said he advised all the rookies to be around stadium on a regular basis during the break. Training camp will start in late July.
