Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who returned to practice this week, is dealing with a lower back injury again.
Clowney practiced Wednesday in full pads, but was sidelined Thursday. Head coach Bill O’Brien said Clowney is day-to-day with a “minor, but painful” injury.
Clowney suffered a muscular injury with tests determining he suffered no structural damage when he injured his back against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 1.
“We’re working with him and he’s working to try to get (healthy),” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “I think if we can get him better, he’ll be where he needs to be from a talent standpoint. But he’s still a rookie. He hasn’t really practiced a whole lot or played a whole lot. You have to get that game experience to be really good.”
After undergoing microfracture surgery last December as a rookie, preceded by sports hernia surgery, a concussion and meniscus surgery, the top overall pick last year from South Carolina has dealt with a sprained ankle, an illness, a shoulder injury and now the back injury this season.
Clowney has 21 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble with one tackle for a loss in six starts and seven games played this season.
Coming off the bye week, the Texans face the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.