National Football League

Texans' Clowney undergoes sports hernia surgery, eyes training camp return

Published Jun. 13, 2014 1:53 p.m. ET

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Houston Texans rookie Jadeveon Clowney underwent sports hernia surgery Thursday, head coach Bill O’Brien said Friday.

Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick from South Carolina, has been making steady progress during the team’s OTAs, but was evaluated in Philadelphia and the team decided that surgery was the best option.

With the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp beginning next Tuesday, Clowney will be sidelined, working to be ready for the start of training camp in late July.

“It was the best thing for J.D. and the best thing for our team and the best thing for our organization,” O’Brien said, via the Houston Chronicle.

While Clowney has been working hard at learning the linebacker position, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel suggested this week the 6-foot-7, 270-pounder will need to earn his playing time.

“He’s going to earn his spot, in my eyes. … If he learns, then chances are that he’ll get playing time,” Crennel said, via the Houston Chronicle. “If he doesn’t learn, then he probably won’t get as much playing time. And now then that’s where [Whitney] Mercilus, he’s going to be there and he’s going to play. Or if it’s Brooks [Reed], Brooks is going to play.”