Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is finally healthy and making an impact early in Browns camp

BEREA, Ohio — New Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney indicated this is the healthiest he’s been for training camp in a while and indicated before the Browns took the field for practice on Wednesday that an off day may be coming for him at some point.

That day ended up being Wednesday for the former No. 1 overall pick, who finally got to sit and watch fellow defensive end Myles Garrett do what Clowney’s been doing all camp: Flustering the offense.

If you’re making a list of early Browns training camp images to sum up the first week, one of the nominees has to be Clowney roaring around the edge and wreaking havoc, even in a setting where you’re not allowed to touch the quarterback.

And, yes, while it’s only training camp, Clowney has come as advertised lining up on the other side of the line from Garrett. So when he says this the healthiest he’s felt in seven years, it resonates.

“I’ve had a rough start to my career,” Clowney said. “Started off with the worst injury you could possibly think of with the microfracture, so I’ve just been getting better throughout my career as I’ve been getting better healthy-wise. Probably one of the best offseasons I’ve had working out, so looking for a big year.”

Clowney, who played in just four games his rookie season in 2014, collected 32 sacks in his first seven seasons, playing five years in Houston, one in Seattle and one in Tennessee before signing with the Browns this offseason.

His season with the Titans, after a courtship by the Browns during the 2020 offseason, didn’t go as planned. He played in just eight games before undergoing surgery on his left meniscus. He failed to register a sack, but did manage 26 pressures over seven games in the season’s first nine weeks, according to data from Pro Football Focus.

The Browns signed Clowney to a one-year deal in April worth up to $10 million if he hits certain incentives.

Clowney, who turned 28 on Valentine’s Day, said he’s enjoying being with a team to start camp, something he hasn’t done in a few years. The Texans traded Clowney to Seattle after using the franchise tag on him in 2019, but it came in September after Clowney stayed away from Texans camp. He didn’t sign with the Titans until September last season.

“I haven’t been (at training camp) in a while,” Clowney said, “just getting acclimated, with the pads, I’m happy about it because I hated jumping into the season Week 1 and putting pads on and hitting. So I get out here, get my hands going, getting back in tune with my body and knowing the playbook, so it’s very good to get out here and get going.”

Clowney has been praised by both Garrett and defensive line coach Chris Kiffin for his attentiveness in meetings and willingness to ask questions. He and Garrett even spent time during Wednesday’s practice working on pass rush techniques off to the side.

“I enjoy having him out here, he’s a lively presence,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s a good teammate, he enjoys practicing, he enjoys running around, I see that from him. He’s been on-point (in the meeting rooms), he’s trying to learn what we’re doing and learn these techniques, so he’s been so far so good.”

Clowney has even won the team’s “Bone Collector” award, handed out to defensive players who cause havoc.

“The more difficulty you create, the more bones you get,” rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah said.

He’s collecting those bones while going against Jack Conklin, arguably the best of the Browns’ five offensive linemen and one of the best right tackles in the game.

“He gives me good look every day, Jack coming out here to work every day,” Clowney said. “He’s an All-Pro player and he leads for the group up front and they’re pushing me every day and I go out there and try to give it to them every day.”

Clowney sounds like a player relieved to be healthy and, more importantly, looks like a player who is healthy. The scary thought is, still in his prime, have we seen the best of him yet?

“We gotta wait and see,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve reached my potential.”

Browns playoffs shirts, hats for sale: Here’s where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and hats celebrating the team qualifying for the 2020 NFL playoffs.

More Browns coverage

Baker Mayfield has a tough day while Jadeveon Clowney and the defense shine: Walkoff thoughts from Browns training camp

Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins: ‘When you need a play, you can call God and then you can call me’

Wagyu steak: What is it, and why does Kareem Hunt want Nick Chubb to buy him some?

How Nick Chubb counters the argument that running backs don’t matter

Browns linebacker Anthony Walker will miss about a week with knee injury that doesn’t require surgery: Kevin Stefanski quick hits

The first Browns practice in pads; what the Cavs might do next: Hayden Grove, Andy Baskin on Tuesday’s Sports 4 CLE

Browns activate linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from reserve/COVID-19 list

Could the Nick Chubb contract extension mean the end of the ‘Browns Tariff?’ – Terry Pluto

Defining roles for Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and rookie Demetric Felton — What we learned from Day 5 of Browns camp: Ellis L. Williams