Jadeveon Clowney misses practice, remains iffy to play vs Steelers

Houston Texans rookie Jadeveon Clowney has a lot to live up to, but he remains out with an injury that may keep him from returning on Monday Night Football this week.

The playing status of Houston Texans rookie defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney remains up in the air after he missed Thursday’s practice in preparation for the team’s Monday Night Football game at Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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“It’s getting closer to gametime and we’ll know better as we move closer to gametime,” head coach Bill O’Brien said per the team’s website. O’Brien also noted that Clowney was ’50/50′ for the game and if he plays, “it certainly wouldn’t be 70 plays.”

The Texans have been making do without Clowney to this point, but one can hardly imagine how much more effective MVP-favorite J.J. Watt would look with another Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end across the line of scrimmage from him. Against the drab pass protection of the Steelers, the Texans could have a field day with both Watt and Clowney in tow.

For now though, Clowney hasn’t practiced since his Week 1 injury in a 17-6 Houston win over the Washington Redskins. The first overall pick in the 2014 draft had a terribly unlucky start to his NFL career when he got injured after having accrued just one tackle. However, he can still return in time to affect his team’s stance in the AFC playoff race. When he plays will be determined by how and how much he practices.

“Generally a guy needs to be on the practice field to play his best,” coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “We’re hoping to get him on the practice field so we can make a determination.”

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