HOUSTON -- Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney will not play in the team's third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, coach Bill O'Brien said Monday.
Clowney returned to practice Aug. 17 after going through rehab to recover from microfracture surgery on his right knee in December. He has practiced every day since and has followed a plan prescribed by the Texans' medical staff.
"I've been pleased with the way he has reacted and practiced with the plan that we've had for him so far," O'Brien said. "He's eager to get out there. One of the good signs with him is that he'll come up to us and say, 'Can I do more? I'd like to be in that drill,' because he sees the competition and he'd like to be in more.
"But we have to stick to the medical plan. I'm definitely pleased with how he's approached it so far."
While Clowney may not play at all in the preseason, he should be on track to be on the field at the start of the regular season.
Clowney initially injured his knee in the Texans' season opener last year. He suffered a torn meniscus and had surgery that the Texans hoped would repair the injury the following day.
After rehabbing from that surgery, Clowney tried to play in three games in the second half of the season, but his knee was experiencing pain and swelling due to articular cartilage damage. That necessitated the microfracture surgery, in which tiny holes are poked in the bones around the cartilage to increase blood flow to the area.
"The rookie year can be tough, especially when you go through a lot of injuries," O'Brien said. "Pro football is a lot different, just learning how to get around the city of Houston, live here, all those different things. Plus play pro football. It's a big adjustment for certain guys. I think JD, all those things kind of hovered over him last year.
"He had three injuries -- sports hernia, concussion and the knee -- and I think he's really had a good offseason to the point where, yeah, he has turned the corner. I wouldn't even talk about it being maturity or anything, I think it's more about, 'OK, I went through some tough times, and I've really come a long way since those tough times, and I think I can really be a good player for this team.'"