Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel views his job as coaching who is at practice.
Star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney is on pace to sit out the preseason. He has not signed his franchise tag, and the two sides failed to negotiate a long-term contract in the offseason.
“You can’t depend on something that you don’t have. so you’ve got to work with what you have,” Crennel told reporters Monday.
“[When] he gets here, then we work with him like we did last year, and hopefully he’ll be able to produce the way he did last year,” Crennel added.
With Clowney missing valuable time on the field, the Texans have defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus as their strongest pass rushers. Former University of Texas player Charles Omenihu is getting some very important reps in his young career, and the rookie just has to take advantage of them.
Since 2015, Clowney has had 29 sacks. But he has played an entire season once, in 2017. Crennel will have other options available if Clowney were to be dealt or decides to sit out for a lengthy period.
It will be a testament to what Crennel can do with the defense if he is able to generate substantial pressure without the three-time Pro Bowler.
