Clowney to IR, Ending His Rookie Season

[Arky]

Clowney seems to be a likable enough fella and I do believe he sincerely wants to earn his check and carry his weight. Sounds like this type of injury/rehab is a toughie to overcome, though.....

[Warren]

O'Brien on another DL who was injured as a rookie:

"I have not seen Louis Nix," O'Brien said. "I don't know. He’s working out somewhere in Florida I guess. Haven’t seen him. But that’s their prerogative, so don’t read anything into that. When they show back up here for the offseason program, especially the younger players, the younger players need to be ready to roll. So hopefully he’s ready to go."

I asked what he needs to see change from last season in Nix.

"I would say the ability to make it through a practice," O'Brien said. "That would be the biggest thing I need to see."

Nah, we shouldn't read anything at all into that...

Speaking of the D-line, I was listening to the team's podcast today and they were saying not to rule out a return by Ryan Pickett. He hasn't officially retired, has been working out, and has made his permanent home in the area (his wife is from Missouri City). He definitely made a difference last year. A NT rotation of Wilfork (who will also see some time at DE), Pickett, and Nix would be pretty strong. The two vets would be able to stay fresh with Nix's role limited unless he earns a bigger one or one of the older guys gets hurt.

[HPF Bob]

I'm thinking Nix ate his bonus check and that, to him, is "working out".

[WMH]

From PFT:

Jadeveon Clowney: I’m making progress, and I’m very encouraged
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 28, 2015, 6:58 PM EDT

Getty ImagesJadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft whose rookie season was cut short by a serious knee injury, says he’s doing well in his recovery.

Clowney declined to say how soon he might be back to 100 percent after microfrature surgery, but he is trending in the right direction.

“I’m not going to speak on that, but I’m making progress, and I’m very encouraged,” Clowney told the Houston Chronicle. “I’m working hard, but we’re not going to rush it.”

Clowney says he’s working harder now than he did when he was practicing last season.

“Rehab is tough, tougher than playing. You have to get there earlier than everybody and leave later than everybody,” he said.

Microfracture surgery is serious business, and some athletes never come all the way back from it. The Texans have to hope all of Clowney’s hard work pays off, and that his health allows him to live up to his enormous talent.

[barrett]

I am encouraged he is working hard.

I am also not surprised by his comments about the work involved. He mentions working out 4-5 hours in rehab and how it's harder than football because he has to come in early and stay late. I am guessing this is the first time in his life he has ever come in early or stayed late for anything.

Maybe he will add some work ethic through this whole thing to help offset the inevitable loss of explosion.

[Warren]

Good article on microfracture surgery

Travis Kelce bounced back nicely after the surgery fwiw.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Warren

Good article on microfracture surgery

Travis Kelce bounced back nicely after the surgery fwiw.

From what I have read, Clowney's surgery was a bit more involved because they removed most of his medial meniscus due to the prior surgery failing to repair it properly. Your meniscus is like the shock absorber between the femur and the tibula, so you can try to imagine not having one and living a normal life..... playing a high contact sport is going to be a REAL challenge, if at all even possible.

There is another forum that has a MD (an orthopod I believe) as a member and it was covered pretty extensively.

I would be shocked if we didn't draft an OLB,( or two) in the first three rounds.