Amid a lengthy contract dispute with a closed door, Jadeveon Clowney hasn’t reported to the Houston Texans nor has he signed his franchise tag tender.
While original reports, via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, indicated that he’d do both after Week 3 of the preseason, coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t know if that will happen or when the three-time Pro Bowler will report.
Joining NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” Tuesday, O’Brien was asked when Clowney will be back with the Texans.
The answer: “I don’t know, I really don’t.”
“I know he’s working hard,” O’Brien said. “He’s out there working out. He’s in shape. He’s doing everything he needs to do to be ready to play. But ultimately that’s up to him [when he reports].”
In culmination, O’Brien, as he initially says, simply doesn’t know when Clowney will return to team headquarters at NRG Park.
Said O’Brien: “When he wants to show up, he’ll show up, and he’ll be ready to go. He’s a professional. When that happens, we’ll move forward with that. But I have no idea when he’ll be here. I can’t predict that.”
Clowney hasn’t signed his franchise tag with the Texans. Therefore, they have no leverage to simply fine him for missing training camp, in turn, forcing him back to Houston Methodist Training Center.
While the contract disputes between Clowney and the Texans have been anything but mutual — even spawning an NFLPA grievance case — there appears to be no animosity between both sides. Neither Clowney or O’Brien have stated enmity for each other; instead, both have been mute for some time.
Clowney’s holdout looms large over the Texans and their 2019 campaign. The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2014 NFL draft is an integral part of their defense; it’s not a stretch to say they need him. But, he also needs a place to play; on a one-year contract, he eyes a big payday in 2020.
As of now, the situation is business on both sides. But, that business may extend further into the NFL timeline than previously thought.
