Since undergoing a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee back in January, Houston Texans Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney has spent the last few months recovering from the operation.
However, he has yet to receive any medical clearance to participate on the field that he was originally anticipated to receive back in April. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, this has resulted in Clowney being unable to practice at the start of voluntary OTAs on Tuesday.
Texans Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney isn't practicing at organized team activities as he continues to rehabilitate a knee injury.
This hasn't drawn any level of concern from the Texans, but does raise questions about when he will be able to practice as the team is not far from the start of the preseason in a couple months. It's likely a deterrent in why his new deal has yet to be worked yet this offseason. He is currently in the fifth-year option of his rookie deal where he is making roughly $12.3 million for the 2018 campaign.
Clowney has developed into one of the league's top all-around defensive talents in the front seven as a factor both against the run and as a pass rusher. He's coming off a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2017 that helped earn his second straight Pro Bowl selection that has pushed the Texans to want to secure him a long-term lucrative contract to pair him alongside three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt for the long haul.
There is still plenty of time for him to receive medical clearance where he can work his way back in the fold to be ready well ahead of the 2018 season. In the meantime, Clowney will continue to spend time working on rehabbing his knee as the Texans go through offseason workouts