The Houston Texans have been without rookie outside linebacker and first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney since Week 1 when he suffered a knee injury against Washington.
According to HoustonTexans.com, there is a decent chance that the number one overall pick could play this Sunday against AFC South division rival, Tennessee Titans.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said on Monday that Clowney felt good and his ability to cut was there but it wasn’t totally there. Without Clowney, the Texans leaned on third-year veteran Whitney Mercilus. Mercilus, thus far has five tackles for loss this season. In last night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mercilus had two sacks, a forced fumble, and five tackles.
O’Brien did mention that if Clowney does return, he will not automatically come in and take snaps away from Mercilus saying
“When JD comes back he’ll have to work back into the mix.” That’s not going to be something that’s just handed to him. Whitney’s played well enough to deserve playing time and that’ll be a competition.”
It will be interesting to see how practice goes for Clowney this week as he works his way back. If everything pans out correctly then we should see him playing but not 70-80 snaps per game.
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