The Sports Xchange

In a move that was hardly unexpected, the Houston Texans on Monday placed outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on the list for the physically unable to perform.

Clowney can come off the PUP list any time before the start of the season; but, if he remains on PUP once the season begins, he will have to sit out the first six games.

Last week, Texans Dr. Walt Lowe said Clowney “looks spectacular” seven months removed from microfracture surgery on his right knee.

“The real goal in the end is to have him be who he was before he got hurt,” Lowe told Forbes.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien has been hopeful last year’s No. 1 overall pick will be ready to play in Week 1. Clowney has spent the offseason rehabbing and taking part in some weight room activities.

Clowney was limited to four games in his rookie year, making just five tackles. He suffered a lateral right meniscus tear in the 2014 season opener, had arthroscopic knee surgery the next day and attempted to return to the field in the following month.

Due to articular cartilage damage, Clowney underwent microfracture surgery on Dec. 8.

As part of that rehab, the Texans reportedly have used blood flow restriction therapy, which is designed to minimize muscle deficits early in rehab. The Texans were the first team in the league to implement such training, which is also called “tourniquet” training.