HOUSTON — Jadeveon Clowney says he’s ready to make his NFL debut for the Houston Texans after recovering from a concussion.
The top overall draft pick left a practice Aug. 20 after a helmet-to-helmet hit with Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme. He missed the Texans’ final two preseason games, but says he passed the NFL protocols for head injuries in just over a week and will play Sunday against Washington.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m ready for the game this week,” Clowney said.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien was cautious as Clowney went through the mandated protocols. He said Clowney scored well on baseline testing and was able to lift weights and do conditioning drills before he returned to practice.
“Any time a guy has a concussion, it’s obviously concerning,” O’Brien said. “I feel like he’s come back and he feels good this week.”
Clowney says he’s had a concussion before and wouldn’t say which one affected him more.
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“It was just something that happened on the field,” Clowney said. “It happened in Denver, and now we’ve moved on to Washington.”
Clowney missed time during training camp following sports hernia surgery in June. He said he was nervous before his first preseason game, but has gotten gradually more comfortable as he’s learned defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel’s system.
“I ain’t nervous no more, no,” Clowney said.
The focus now is on Robert Griffin III and the Redskins’ offense. And on making his real NFL debut in front of family members at NRG Stadium.
“It’s very special,” Clowney said. “Something I’ve been waiting for my whole life. It’s coming up fast.”
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