Bill O’Brien denies frustration with Jadeveon Clowney
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney has had a rocky start to his rookie year thanks to a torn meniscus in Week 1, as he missed several weeks with the injury before returning to face the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. However, Clowney missed another game with an unrelated issue, as he was inactive yesterday against the Philadelphia Eagles after falling ill around Thursday or Friday. Although he was a game-time decision, Clowney wasn’t expected to play, and he joined another key defensive player in Brian Cushing on the inactive list.
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Yesterday morning, a report surfaced that the Texans are growing frustrated with their No. 1 overall pick’s inability to fight through injuries, and it seems like they were criticizing his toughness. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has unsurprisingly denied this report, and he took a measured approach in his defense of the talented rookie.
O’Brien said, via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, “He got knocked in the head in the Denver training camp, he got a sports hernia injury, he’s got a knee [issue], that’s what I think it is. I think the world of Jadeveon Clowney. I don’t think there’s anyone here that’s frustrated with [him]. He and I speak every day, multiple times per day, text messages, phone calls, just like I do with all the rookies, and hopefully he’ll be ready to go. It’s a big adjustment, it’s a whole lot different playing in this league than it is in college, and it’s an adjustment for all those guys. He’s working hard to get over the hump and get back on the field.”
As Florio notes, the Texans might simply be frustrated with the fact that their No. 1 pick keeps dealing with these kinds of injuries, as opposed to any frustration directed at Clowney, let alone direct critiques of his maturity and toughness. I can’t wait to see Clowney back on the field at full strength, because he will likely be one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league when he’s full back.