The Sports Xchange

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien says outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is ready for the season opener although he could be on a “pitch count” against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.

The 22-year-old Clowney underwent microfracture knee surgery in December and didn’t play in any preseason games, but O’Brien said the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft has made significant progress.

“I don’t know if I have a pitch count yet ready for him for the first game, but I think he’s come a long way,” O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle. “He’s been out there practicing. We’ve done a lot of things with him on the field that involve contact, that involve a lot of the moves that he’s going to have to make, whether it’s in the running game or dropping into pass coverage, which he’ll do some of that, or rushing the passer.

“Obviously, he’ll do some of that. I think he’s come a long way. I don’t know as far as how many plays or anything like that, but I do anticipate him playing in that game.”

Clowney was limited to seven tackles in four games as a rookie, dealing with a concussion in the preseason, a torn meniscus that required surgery last September and the microfracture surgery.