DECEMBER 10: The Texans have finally placed Clowney on IR officially, promoting outside linebacker Jason Ankrah to take his spot on the roster, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
DECEMBER 4: Texans coach Bill O’Brien told reporters, including Mark Berman of FOX 26 (via Twitter) that No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney is going on injured reserve. Clowney will have to undergo surgery on his right knee, ending his 2014 season.
“This guy’s been injured, and it’s time to clean it up and get him back to feeling good,” O’Brien said (via Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com on Twitter).
Indeed, it has been a trying season for Clowney, who has been struggling with his knee all year long. O’Brien made it clear that playing on the injury did not aggravate it any further, according to Ganguli (via Twitter). In just four games this season, Clowney amassed a grand total of seven tackles and zero sacks.
One can only wonder how this season might have turned out for Houston if they had a healthy Clowney in the lineup. J.J. Watt, who is in the midst of another stellar season, could have been even more menacing for opposing teams with extra attention being placed on the former South Carolina superstar. Despite Watt’s tremendous season, the Texans have struggled in all facets of the game and currently sit at 6-6, putting them two games behind the division leading Colts. According to Football Outsiders, the Texans currently have a 3.7% chance of winning the division and a 3.1% chance of securing a Wild Card spot.
Looking beyond this season, the Texans will be keeping their fingers crossed for Clowney to make a fast turnaround and recover well over the offseason. Widely regarded as the safest top choice in the 2014 draft, his knee injury casts doubt as to whether he’ll be able to live up to his skyhigh expectations.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I like Clowney….but hows that 1st pick for you Texans