The Houston Texans are heading into training camp without Jadeveon Clowney on the active roster, as the defensive end will be on the PUP list to start things off and this comes as Reggie Wayne could be a free agent option, while the team is having Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett compete to start at quarterback.
The Texans signed Hoyer as a free agent from the Browns and brought back Mallett after acquiring him from the Patriots in a trade last season. The quarterbacks split reps in offseason workouts leading into the summer and so far head coach Bill O'Brien has not named a starting quarterback. Hoyer likely has the edge with his experience, but there is a chance Mallett could outplay him in camp. According to Pro Football Talk, Clowney will start camp on the PUP list as he comes back from microfracture surgery.
Clowney had a tough rookie season and only played in four games while dealing with injuries and he is hoping to make an impact this year. Clowney is on the PUP list for camp and Pro Football Talk reports that means the defensive end will not be practicing with the team and depending on how he is looking after camp, he could start the season on the list. The PUP list during the season would keep Clowney out for the first six games of the schedule.
Earlier in July there were reports that the Texans could be interested in adding Reggie Wayne as a veteran option coming into training camp. According to Dave Furst of RTV6 in Indianapolis, the Texans were one of a handful of teams that has "been in touch" with Wayne along with the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. Wayne was not brought back by the Colts and he has not had much of a market in free agency.
Clowney reportedly looked "spectacular," according to the Houston Texans team doctor as he comes back from knee surgery. Clowney was the number one overall pick and he played in only four games last season, making five solo tackles and seven total tackles. ESPN reports that O'Brien said that Clowney will be "eased back" when he returns from rehab and that could mean a snap count for the second year player. Forbes reports there is not a "hard timetable" for Clowney's return.
Hoyer comes in after leading the Browns to a 7-4 record to start last season before faltering down the stretch and now he will get the chance to be a starter again. Hoyer was signed to a two year deal and he is the favorite to win the starting job, according to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain. McClain writes that Hoyer is a "natural" in the offense for the Texans after previously working in O'Brien's system and he was "accurate" in offseason practices.
Mallett comes in after playing in three games last season and completing 54 percent of his passes with two picks and two interceptions. While Hoyer's completion percentage was not much better, he has more experience starting in the NFL and he likely will open up with the job. Mallett gives O'Brien some solid insurance behind Hoyer and they have depth at the position and could need to use it. Last season the team used four quarterbacks but they did not get any consistency and O'Brien is hoping that Hoyer and Mallett can give that for the Texans.
Check here for more on the Houston Texans training camp, the QB battle and Clowney's status.
