Jadeveon Clowney: I don’t think I’ve reached my potential

Jadeveon Clowney was the No.1 pick in 2014, and he has played three Pro Bowls in his career. Clowney showed flashes of grandeur for sure.

But the passer missed 29 injury games in seven seasons, never had double-digit sacks in one season, never made an All-Pro and played for four teams. So it’s fair to assume that this is mostly untapped potential for Clowney in his NFL career so far.

Clowney, however, is only 28.

“I don’t think I’ve reached my potential,” Clowney said, via Tom Withers of The Associated Press. “Every time I leave I get hurt and something happens. I stepped back and took some free time.

“I hope this year I continue to progress and improve.”

Clowney signed a one-year, $ 8 million contract with the Browns in April, and the team saw the best of him in training camp.

“I’m just trying to play games, to be flashy,” Clowney said. “Show these guys that I’m still me.”

Injuries have kept Clowney from showing he’s still the same dominant player who crushed Michigan running back Vincent Smith in the Outback Bowl. Or the one who made five solo tackles, five quarterback hits, a sack and returned a fumble he forced and recovered for a touchdown against the 49ers in 2019.

Clowney suffered a sports hernia in his final season in South Carolina and injured his right knee in his first NFL game with the Texans and then had to undergo a microfracture. He had foot aches, elbow strains, concussions, lower back problems, groin strains and another sports hernia during his NFL career.

He underwent late-season left knee surgery after eight games last season in Tennessee.

Clowney feels good now, and he looks good now.

“When you’re healthy you have a lot of fun,” Clowney said. “When you’ve been playing for seven years and I’ve been suffering from injuries for seven years, it’s not fun to be there, but when you take care of your body you’re healthy and you know what you are doing. love.

“It’s fun and exciting to be there, to move around and to feel good.”