HOUSTON -- Texans coach Bill O'Brien says it's unlikely Jadeveon Clowney will play on Monday Night Football against the Bengals.
"He's dealing with a back issue and it's painful, so we've got to give it a little more time," O'Brien said.
Clowney missed Thursday and Friday after trying to practice in full pads on Wednesday.
Clowney suffered a lower back injury on Nov. 1 against the Tennessee Titans. He missed the second half of that game with the injury. It was his second injury of the 2015 season and fifth since he entered the NFL.
In the Texans' Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Clowney sprained his right ankle. He finished the game but then missed the Texans' Week 6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Clowney has already played in seven games this season, which is more than he played during his rookie year. In 2014, after being selected No. 1 overall, Clowney suffered a lateral meniscus tear in the Texans' season opener. He tried to return during the season but experienced too much pain and swelling and had microfracture surgery on his right knee.
That was the third injury Clowney suffered in 2014. He also had sports hernia surgery in June and a concussion during training camp.