Clowney leaves joint practice with Broncos early due to injury
The Houston Texans moved their practices to Denver to train with the Broncos for the week leading up to Saturday's preseason game. However, near the end of Wednesday's practice, No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney was taken off the field with an unknown injury.
During one-on-one drills against Broncos, Clowney was taken to the medical tent where trainers removed his shoulder pads as he gestured towards his neck. According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Clowney collided helmets with an opponent to cause the shakeup. He did not receive any treatment from staff on the sidelines.
Asked what had happened to Clowney, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said, ''I don't know. I was in the middle of practice, so I'll find out.'' The team didn't issue any update, however; the Texans reportedly do not believe Clowney's injury is anything serious.
Clowney and Broncos star left tackle Ryan Clady battled to a draw several times during the 1-on-1 pass-rushing drills that proved the highlight of the two-hour practice. Clowney sought out Clady afterward and the two exchanged a fist bump in a show of sportsmanship.
Clowney later smacked into tight end Jacob Tamme during a 9-on-7 drill and retreated to the Texans' medical tent, where he sat out the final 45 minutes of practice. He didn't appear to be getting any sort of treatment, however, and appeared to walk off OK after practice ended.
Clowney has lived up to his potential so far, notably displaying his abilities against the Falcons in back-to-back plays during the second preseason game. He remains somewhat limited in returning from offseason sports hernia surgery. O'Brien did give some insight the level of play he has seen so far out of his rookie linebacker.
"We were playing aggressively, and he was part of that," O'Brien said about Clowney's performance.
As of Wednesday evening, Clowney's status for the Texans' preseason game in Denver was unknown.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
