The Sports Xchange

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is on schedule to begin practicing with the team on Monday, but coach Bill O’Brien cautions he won’t rush him back.

Clowney, who remains on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee, has been working out on an adjacent field to his teammates thus far in training camp.

“Yeah, look, August 17 is the day that I think our medical team has talked to him about, but, again, with JD, it’s if he feels ready to go on that day,” O’Brien told reporters after Tuesday’s practice. “(If) his knee feels good, then he’ll go. We’re not going to rush him back. We feel like that’s a good date for him, so, yeah, we’re on target for that. Hopefully, he’ll get out here and be able to do something that day.”

O’Brien has been hopeful last year’s No. 1 overall pick will be ready to play in Week 1. Clowney 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.