Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien feels Jadeveon Clowney, the rookie pass rusher who has been sidelined since a knee injury in the season opener, has a good shot of playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
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“He’s progressing,” O’Brien told Texans Radio. “He’s working really hard to get back and I would say it’s 50/50. Yeah, I think we have a long time here to get ready for Pittsburgh, longer than normal so hopefully, that bodes well for him being ready to go but I can’t guarantee you that he’ll be here for Pittsburgh.”
Clowney, the 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick, tore the meniscus in his right knee in the second quarter against the Washington Redskins in Week 1. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery the next day on Sept. 8 and was scheduled to be out four to six weeks.
If Clowney continues to be sidelined, Whitney Mercilus will again get the start at linebacker. Mercilus has 19 total tackles this season for the Texans (3-3).