HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans on Sunday lost two big playmakers for the season, defensive end J.J. Watt (tibial plateau fracture) and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (torn pectoral muscle), so the spotlight shifts to outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who had the best season of his career in 2016.
“There’s no doubt that he will be a guy we count on to play real well for us,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He plays very hard; he’s been practicing well. Obviously, he’s a guy that whether J.J. and Whitney were there or not, he’s a guy that we really rely on to play at a high level, and that’s not going to change.”
Last season, Clowney had six sacks and 52 tackles (both career highs) in his healthiest year since he entered the NFL in 2014. Through five games this season, the outside linebacker has three sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
“I'm going to have to [continue to play at a high level],” Clowney said. “Pick my game up. [We’re] missing some leaders so guys [have] to step up.”
“It hurts. A big blow to the team. A lot of our game plan was around those two. So we've got to find a way to regroup because we've got a lot of season left.”
Last season, Watt played only three games in another injury-shortened season, but the Texans still rode their top-ranked defense to an AFC South title and a playoff victory. Mercilus was a big part of that unit, but Texans players continue to talk about the importance of the “next man up” mentality that O’Brien preaches.
“I think we can be OK if we just come to play and everybody picks [his] part up,” Clowney said. “[There are] bigger roles coming up for other guys.”
After Watt and Mercilus departed the game Sunday, the Texans’ defense struggled, allowing 450 yards of total offense and 29 first downs as the Chiefs won 42-34 in Houston. The Chiefs were 9-of-16 on third down, and Houston sacked Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith only once. Clowney said the play of “the guys up front” is important for the Texans' defense to be successful moving forward.
“We've still got to play regardless of who's up there or not. A lot of guys need to step in and step up. So coming into this game we've got to pick up our roles, everybody," Clowney said.
Last season, after Watt injured his back and required a second back surgery, Clowney saw a lot of time at defensive end. The Texans like to move the pass-rusher around the field, but after the injuries to Watt and Mercilus on the opening drive, Clowney played primarily with his hand down against the Chiefs.
“I [don’t feel] pressure,” Clowney said. “I've just got to keep playing my game. There's a lot of season left, like I said. We've got a lot of improvement to do.”