Texans LB Clowney (knee) not cleared for OTAs
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney will not participate in on-field workouts this week while recovering from a 2018 knee injury.
According to the Texans, Clowney is not yet medically cleared.
Clowney and the Texans are in talks regarding a long-term contract extension and head coach Bill O'Brien said last month the team would not rush its top two edge rushers -- Clowney and defensive end J.J. Watt -- back from injuries.
General manager Brian Gaine said the Texans were "definitely interested" in working out a new contract with Clowney.
Clowney, 25, is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, which will pay him $12.3 million in 2018.
He battled injuries through his first two seasons after going No. 1 overall in 2014, but has collected 15.5 sacks combined over the last two campaigns. He had 21 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits last season after notching 16 and 17, respectively in 2016.
According to previous reports, Clowney's deal could beat Von Miller's six-year, $114 million pact that currently makes Miller the league's highest-paid defensive player. It's likely Clowney will closely monitor the status of contract talks between the Los Angeles Rams and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who could raise the bar for defensive player contracts.
--Field Level Media
