After reportedly getting several expert opinions on his injured knee, the Texans announced on Thursday afternoon that Jadeveon Clowney has been placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his rookie season.
O’Brien update on Clowney: We will place him on IR and he will have surgery on his right knee. #Texans
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 4, 2014
In a tweet, the team quoted Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel as saying, “That’s what needs to be done to try to get him healthy… when he’s healthy, we know what he’s capable of.”
Here’s what coach Bill O’Brien had to say:
“This guy’s a football player. He wants to play football, he wants to be good. He was disappointed.” -O’Brien on Clowney surgery. #Texans
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 4, 2014
Clowney tore the meniscus in his right knee during the Texan’s season opener against Washington in September. It was another curious no-contact injury on NRG Stadium’s patchwork field. In an October column, Houston Press writer Sean Pendergast reported how Clowney may have just been one more victim of the stadium’s unique — and, according to many, flawed — pallet system.
See also: The Texans’ Toughest Opponent May Be Under Their Feet
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2014.