After two weeks of training camp, the Houston Texans are headed to Wisconsin for a joint practice and preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, but most noticeably missing from their trip to the Northeast is outline linebacker, Jadeveon Clowney.
The three-time pro-bowler is currently at a standstill with the Texans centered around a dispute over a new contract. Clowney, 26, is seeking a max extension similar to Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker, Demarcus Lawrence, but the Texans have yet to budge after placing a franchise tag worth close to $16.0 million.
Although he has yet to report to training camp, Clowney is still expected to play the 2019 NFL season as a member of the Texans. Unfortunately for Houston, there is a high level of uncertainty when Clowney will report to the team. A question, not even head coach, Bill O’Brien, has an answer too.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t get into any conversations we had,” O’Brien said after day eight of training camp on Saturday. “I think just from my knowledge of what I know, he’s [Jadeveon Clowney] working hard.”
Clowney has taken the initiative to host his own training camp to prepare for the upcoming season. Yet, despite posting videos of himself working out, O’Brien says a condition test will be his top priority upon Clowney’s return.
“We’re going to have to see when he comes back,” he said. “See where he’s at – run the conditioning test, see where he’s at just from a baseline conditioning standpoint, and then we’ll go from there. I think a lot of that depends on when he decides to come back.”
And while his holdout may last until Week 1 of the regular season, Clowney’s absence has not changed O’Brien’s feels for having him on the team “Like I said two weeks ago, we want him back. We need him here, but he’ll come when he decides it’s best for him to come.”
Last season, Jadeveon Clowney played a huge role in the Texans 11-5 run, as the All-Pro linebacker (2016) recorded 38 solo tackles, 9.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
