Clowney Faces Uncertain Future
Jadeveon Clowney was being hyped as the next Jevon Kearse or Julius Peppers, even early in his college career at South Carolina. The Texans selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in May’s draft. It wasn’t an easy decision, but most believed it to be the right one. However, Clowney’s career has now gotten off to just about the worst possible start imaginable. He suffered a concussion in the preseason, but was ready in time for Week 1. Twenty-three snaps into the opener, Clowney stepped in a “hole” in the Texans’ playing surface, jamming up his knee. It was later revealed he suffered a torn lateral meniscus and needed a knee scope. Clowney ended up missing the next six weeks before returning to play 32 snaps in Week 8. He then missed the following two weeks and admitted his knee wasn’t right. Clowney tried to push through, playing 91 snaps across Weeks 11 and 12 before getting shut down again and eventually being placed on season-ending injured reserve last week.
On Monday, Clowney underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee. “Microfracture” and “surgery” are the two words athletes never want to hear together. It’s been the equivalent of a death sentence for numerous players in the past, including the NBA’s Greg Oden and Tracy McGrady, among many others. In the NFL, Terrell Davis, Beanie Wells, and Kellen Winslow are just a number of players whose careers either ended or weren’t the same after the operation. Medicine has come a long way since even Winslow’s operation in 2007. While Winslow had a career-year after he went under the knife, he admitted several times his knee was never the same. He flamed out of the league just a few years later. Some recent players who’ve had the operation are Eagles OLB Brandon Graham, Travis Kelce, Anthony Spencer, “the other Steve Smith,” Kenny Phillips, and Jon Beason. Graham was a 22-year-old pass rusher when he had his. Clowney will be 22 in February. Graham needed a solid 20 months to really return to form. Kelce was back in action after 10 months. Spencer was never the same, and is merely a role player for the Cowboys. Spencer, however, was on the wrong side of 30. Smith and Phillips were out of the league shortly after promising starts to their careers.
“It’s brutal surgery,” said injury expert Will Carroll in an article at Bleacher Report earlier this year when discussing Spencer’s comeback. "This is pure Hail Mary. It’s a desperation move, and we’re seeing it less and less because the success rate isn’t great.”
Clowney has been slapped with a nine-month timetable for recovery, but setbacks are common after microfracture, and there’s really no cut-and-dry recovery span for microfracture. He at least has youth on his side, but the chances of Clowney having a long, prosperous career are very slim. Those who return to play following microfracture surgery average 4.6 seasons and 56 games before they’re done. Clowney is just the latest in a long line. We wish him the best in his recovery. But he’ll be a candidate for the reserve/PUP list to start the 2015 season.
In Other News…
The Saints promised to make changes after the Panthers took them out back to the wood shed in Week 14 at the Superdome. Coach Sean Payton reportedly called multiple players into his office for performance reviews on Tuesday. WR Joe Morgan was cut. And second-year SS Kenny Vaccaro has been benched. Other shoes may drop before the weekend. But Vaccaro, the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft, deserved the benching with his 2014 play. He’s graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 84th-ranked safety out of 86 qualifiers. Vaccaro has taken nine penalties and missed 18 tackles. He’s been a huge part of the problem for DC Rob Ryan’s group. Marcus Ball or Jamarca Sanford will step in next to FS Pierre Warren.
Torrey Smith was limited to 15 snaps and a decoy role in Week 14 due to a sprained knee. With the lowly Jaguars coming to Baltimore in Week 15, Smith will reportedly be held out. His knee is “quite sore.” Look for Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown to fill in opposite Steve Smith Sr. if Smith is kept out. His status will be updated no later than Wednesday afternoon.
Cam Newton just punished the Saints for four combined touchdowns last Sunday. It was easily his best game of the season, leaving Newton a possible elite QB1 for the home stretch of the fantasy playoffs. But out of nowhere, Newton was involved in a vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon. He flipped his truck 3-4 times on his way to the Panthers’ facility on a day off. While initial Twitter “reports” had Newton suffering serious injury, possibly two broken legs, it was later revealed he broke two transverse processes in his back. It’s the same injury Tony Romo suffered earlier this season against the Redskins. Romo missed one game. And it’s now looking like Newton won’t be available for Week 15 against the Bucs. Derek Anderson will likely be under center. He completed 24-of-34 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns Week 1 against Tampa Bay.
Johnny Manziel has been named the Browns’ Week 15 starter, coach Mike Pettine announced Tuesday. As expected. Brian Hoyer’s likely done in Cleveland after posting a pitiful 1:8 TD:INT ratio the past four weeks. He cost himself millions in free agency. Manziel is immediately worth consideration for fantasy lineups. He has an extremely high ceiling thanks to his dual-threat skills.
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Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Coach Mike McCarthy didn’t seem concerned about Eddie Lacy’s bruised hip. … The Cowboys have no plans to lighten DeMarco Murray’s workload. … The Bengals activated QB A.J. McCarron (shoulder) off the NFI list after placing WLB Vontaze Burfict (knee) on season-ending I.R. … Coach Lovie Smith wouldn’t rule out going back to Mike Glennon for Week 15 at the Panthers. … Coach Ron Rivera declined to commit to Jonathan Stewart as his starting running back. … Colt McCoy’s neck strain isn’t a long-term injury. … Chris Ivory (133) and Chris Johnson (130) have split snaps nearly evenly the past four games. … The Vikings want to get Ben Tate more carries this week.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
Larry Fitzgerald (knee) was limited again on Tuesday. His chances of suiting up for Thursday night against the Rams are better than 50-50 on the short week. … Bills WR Mike Williams (hamstring) passed through waivers unclaimed and is now on I.R. … Coach Mike Smith refused to provide an update on Julio Jones (hip), only saying Jones was “sore” and “hopes” to be ready for Week 15. … The 49ers placed backup TE Vance McDonald (back) on I.R. … The Saints waived WR Joe Morgan. … Julius Thomas (ankle) plans to play Week 15 against the Chargers. … The Lions re-signed TE Kellen Davis. … The Texans consider Andre Johnson (concussion) day-to-day. It’s up to the league’s concussion protocol, not the Texans.
