The Houston Texans are welcoming Jadeveon Clowney with open arms, including in a way that will impact one of his new teammates.
The Texans retooled their defensive end room this offseason. They added former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick Logan Hall and ex-Chicago Bears fifth-round Dominique Robinson to a group that includes incumbent former picks, Dylan Horton and Solomon Byrd.
Clowney is a more proven option than all of them, but Hall is the one making a switch.
Texans Feeling Effects of Jadeveon Clowney’s Return
GettyLogan Hall is one of several players making a change amid Jadeveon Clowney’s return.
The Texans signed Hall in free agency this offseason, inking the hybrid defender to a two-year, $13.5 million contract. With Clowney back on the Texans, though, Hall is being accommodating.
“Back with #Texans, Jadeveon Clowney on one-year, $8 million max value deal and expected back to wearing his old No. 90 jersey, per league sources,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 2. “Logan Hall expected to shift numbers.”
Hall, the 33rd overall pick of the 2022 draft, has worn 90 for his entire career.
Notably, Clowney–who wore the number during his first stint with the Texans–has worn several other digits during his career.
However, he has returned to his original number wherever possible. He wore it with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks. With this being a “full-circle” moment for the three-time Pro Bowler, his return to 90 in Houston is fitting.
Hall wore No. 92 in college at the University of Houston.
However, that belongs to Horton. So, Hall has been forced into another number, 96, which previously belonged to defensive tackle Dominic Bailey.
SportsTalk 790’s Adam Wexler reported, “#Texans signing of Jadeveon Clowney has not yet been made official, but here’s Logan Hall at practice wearing a new number 96, no. 90 is now available.
“DL Sebastian Harsh gave up 96, he’s now 74.”
Jadeveon Clowney Still an Impact Player
GettyJadeveon Clowney is still a difference-maker.
Clowney is not a big sack-numbers guy, never racking up double digits in a single regular season. Still, the Texans are getting an impact player. That is true even as he enters his 13th season in the NFL at one of the more grueling positions on the field.
“Jadeveon Clowney is still a very impactful defender vs the run as a edge setter or pursuing runs from the backside,” Sleeper’s Jacob Barzilla posted on X on August 2. “His main value in Houston will be on early downs as a run defender giving [Will] Anderson and/or [Danielle] Hunter rest which is something he should still be excellent at.”
Clowney posted 8.0 sacks and a 4.7% missed tackle rate for the Cowboys last season. That tied for the second-best mark of his career.
That Clowney is not only playing but still being impactful is nothing short of remarkable.
“Jadeveon Clowney’s career was supposed to be over as a rookie when he needed microfracture surgery and at least 2 more operations on his knee,” legendary Houston sports journalist John McClain posted on X.
In his Texans redux, Clowney can be deployed judiciously for a defense already viewed as Super Bowl-caliber.
Texans Free Agent Pickup Has Change of Plans After Jadeveon Clowney News