'I've never been in the guest locker room': Jadeveon Clowney also eyeing Houston return

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, shares a laugh with defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney, left, and Myles Garrett, left center, during the NFL football team's football training camp in Berea on Monday.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, shares a laugh with defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney, left, and Myles Garrett, left center, during the NFL football team's football training camp in Berea on Monday.
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BEREA — Jadeveon Clowney isn't sure what kind of reaction the Houston Texans fans will have on Sunday. That's not just for Deshaun Watson, either.

"I'm just looking forward to it," the Browns defensive end said Friday. "I haven't been back there either, so I'm looking forward to it and just getting it going, man. Being back in that building, being back in that facility, it's going to be a change for me. I'm just looking forward to it. I've never been in the guest locker room so I'll see how that looks."

Watson has been the center of attention throughout the week leading into Sunday's game in Houston. It'll be the quarterback's first start of the season for the Browns after his 11-game suspension, and it'll come in the town where he spent five seasons after being the No. 12 pick in the 2017 draft.

However, it's not just Watson who'll be a former Texans first-round draft pick coming back to Houston. Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, also spent five seasons in Houston before being acrimoniously traded away to Seattle prior to the 2019 season.

"It's special because that's the team that drafted me and first gave me an opportunity in the National Football League," Clowney said. "Just looking forward to going back and trying to get another win for the team here."

Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney pressures quarterback Deshaun Watson during training camp on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 in Berea.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney pressures quarterback Deshaun Watson during training camp on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 in Berea.

The only other time Clowney would have been back to Houston was on Jan. 3, 2021, during his one season with the Tennessee Titans. However, he was on injured reserve at the time and did not make the trip.

That day was also the last time Watson started a regular-season game. He sat out the following season in a dispute with the Texans, who then dealt him to the Browns on March 18.

Now, after serving a suspension for personal conduct policy violations in connection with sexual assault and sexual misconduct allegations from more than two dozen women, Watson will make his Browns regular-season debut. No one has been more vocal than Clowney about seeing the quarterback back on the field.

"It's good," Clowney said. "Big, big get up for our team, make us feel better having him back. A big leader for our team. It's great to have him out there and give us a boost. We need another boost coming off a win, and him coming back is probably what we need right now and keep it rolling from last week."

Clowney and Watson played two seasons together in Houston in 2017 and 2018. Those also coincided with two of Clowney's three Pro Bowl seasons, while the 2018 season was one of three playoff seasons for him.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) gets set to pass as Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) grabs him by the jersey during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Browns 23-20. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) gets set to pass as Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) grabs him by the jersey during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Browns 23-20. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

When Clowney re-signed with the Browns this past May, he made it clear that one of the biggest reasons why he did so was Watson. A big reason for that is because of what he saw during that time together, specifically Clowney's last year in Houston when the Texans went to the playoffs.

"The last year I played with him he played well for us," Clowney said of Watson. "He was in a great situation winning football games. I would just hope he can come back and do the same thing here. We still got a chance and that's all you can ask for in this situation. One at a time, that's all we can do to compete."

It'll have been 700 days since that January Sunday in 2021 when Watson made his final start for the Texans. A lot of time has passed by in that time, and a lot of opportunity for rust to develop.

However, Clowney doesn't believe it's had a major effect on Watson's ability on the field.

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (99) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) sack Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (99) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) sack Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.

"He's a little bigger," Clowney said. "He still can sling it. He's accurate with the ball out there at practice. That's all you can look for and hope it will roll over. I know he's a little nervous, I bet. It's been two years, a big let off from two years. But I feel like he'll go out there and do his thing and what he'd been doing. He's all right."

The Browns went 4-7 during Watson's suspension with Jacoby Brissett starting in his place. However, it wasn't all on the offense by any stretch during that time, with the defense often getting gashed, especially in back-to-back November losses to Miami and Buffalo.

However, one thing that has been a consistent theme in the Browns' wins has been a feeling of complementary football. The offense and defense have played off of each other in those games, including last Sunday's overtime win over Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is sacked by Browns defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney, left, and Myles Garrett (95) during the second half, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland.
Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is sacked by Browns defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney, left, and Myles Garrett (95) during the second half, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland.

What Clowney believes Watson's return does is provide a jolt to the offense. That offensive jolt, then, sparks a chain reaction for the team.

"It's the energy, it's the energy," Clowney said. "We go out there and score, we go out there and get a three-and-out, give it back to him, he'll put up big points. On the (defensive) line if you get guys who can put up points, all you're doing is rushing the passer. It's the way we want to be. It's the situation we want to live in, rushing the passer, stopping the run, so we just hope he can come out here and do what he'd been doing before he left the field and put up a lot of points so we can get out there, rush the passer and try to get to the quarterback."

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jadveon Clowney looking forward to Houston return with Deshaun Watson