There was a report before the start of Saturday’s game between the Chiefs and Texans that Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney left the stadium because he was declared inactive, although that was quickly refuted by another report that Clowney knew he wasn’t playing all week and returned to watch the game after giving tickets to his family.
On Sunday, Clowney said the latter report was correct concerning Clowney’s status.
“I knew I wasn’t going to play,” Clowney said, via the Houston Chronicle. “I didn’t walk out on anybody. I was mad I wasn’t out there. I didn’t get frustrated because they didn’t (activate him). I got frustrated because I couldn’t play. I didn’t walk out on my team. I stayed here and watched the game. ... Of course I was frustrated I didn’t get to play. I think anybody would have been. Yeah, people can say what they want, but I was right here watching the game.”
The Texans should have to answer a league query about why Clowney was listed as questionable if they knew he wasn’t going to play with what coach Bill O’Brien called a mid-foot sprain on Sunday. O’Brien also said the best thing for Clowney to do now is to “get healthy and have a great offseason.”
Clowney, who has dealt with various injuries that have limited his time on the field since being the first overall pick in 2014, said his plan moving forward is to “come back and dominate the league” next season.