Next week it'll be 8 months since surgery, so yeah, a little over a month from now, he should be back up.
I also expect them to be extra cautious with his return so that week 1 thing may be a little pre mature.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bill OBrien says the goal is to get Clowney on the field on August 17. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/627874017311981569">August 2, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hope so. Definitely ease him back in. Would be nice if we can build a good lead and he can play garbage minutes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">August 17 is still the day slated for the return of Jadeveon Clowney. UPDATE: <a href="http://t.co/9r041UzTvJ">http://t.co/9r041UzTvJ</a> <a href="http://t.co/zQ3kl4Csd0">pic.twitter.com/zQ3kl4Csd0</a></p>— #TexansCamp (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/631216062936170496">August 11, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With that return date, and them bringing him back up to strength and in the fold, I wouldn't even expect him to play a snap in the preseason. I think the preferred route of return for him would be game 1 of the regular season. With that, the snap count should be limited to mostly 3rd down pass rush situations at first. Limit points of contact for the knee, and potential strain from having to re-route on coverage situations. Then slowly ramp up the snaps as he progresses and see how his knee reacts. I would take a very cautious game plan to getting him healthy and back to action. I like what we have at the LB position as it sits without Clowney, so having him slowly put in the rotation will only be even better. The rotation outside of Merci/Clowney/Simon could be very good. And you still have Cush/McKinney for ILB stunts and pass rushing. Both of which have excelled at prior years/college.
^ i don't expect to see him until several weeks into the season. He may get out there on the 17th but he will be far from doing anything full speed. In 6 weeks, he'd be ready for the Bucs game, but I still think that could be pushing it. BOB said he will take his time and that's the right thing to do.
Im actually stunned that he can get back to the practice field this early. I would have guessed he'd come back in 3-4 weeks, with the ability to get back onto the field around week 4 of the season. Pretty encouraging to see this, but definitely need to ease him back into the mix as slowly as possible. Excited/nervous to see him on the field, as one more set back on that knee will probably jeopardize his Texan career (if not his NFL career).
I get ya, but when I mentioned week 1 it wasn't in any significant meaning. I would just expect a few in game snaps here and there, because you really aren't going to get in shape and up to speed in just practices. Especially so if you don't have a role for a game, otherwise he'd be on the scout team. I do however see that he could be playing more meaningful snaps by your time frame tho, maybe not starting, but at least being in the rotation.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bill O'Brien says he still expects Clowney back to practice Monday. "It won't be a full practice but he'll be out there." <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/632752296900726784" data-datetime="2015-08-16T03:14:38+00:00">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clowney working with Vrabel. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="http://t.co/2HDifj8wYv">pic.twitter.com/2HDifj8wYv</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/633297327176880128">August 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As expected Jadeveon Clowney takes part in LB drills, stretch and walk thru, his first return to practice. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="http://t.co/Uw0AJYN3YO">pic.twitter.com/Uw0AJYN3YO</a></p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/633297903155474432">August 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Holding my breath here...hoping we dont hear a "swelling in his knee" story this week. Excited to see him back on the field. He can be such a HUGE addition to that defense.
I saw the Hard Knocks cameras there up close with him...I'm guessing today's stuff is more than likely the opener to next weeks episode (also likely the next week on... to close tomorrows)
Link to footage of practice today, he looks good in limited drills http://prod.video.texans.clubs.nfl....dio/2015/08-August/081715_FirstLook-5000k.mp4
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jadeveon Clowney said this rehab "more than I ever worked in my whole life." Said it was worth it to get back with his teammates. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/633303117442887682">August 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clowney wore nothing protective on his knee.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/status/633302940418113537">August 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clowney said coach Vrabel helped him a lot, said he might be the smartest coach he's worked with. Sometimes he talks so fast in meeting room</p>— Adam Wexler (@awexler) <a href="https://twitter.com/awexler/status/633301065807478784">August 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jadeveon Clowney did ton of work to get back on field with team: "Whew, more than I've worked my whole life." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="http://t.co/xqd2fjuZ6L">pic.twitter.com/xqd2fjuZ6L</a></p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/633308229036937218">August 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Clowney's recovery time from that has to be some sort of all-time record. Now we'll see if he can still actually play at a high level, another incredibly rare thing.