As the Texans conducted minicamp drills Tuesday afternoon, one of their top defensive players remained absent.
Pro Bowl outside linebacker-defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, an unsigned franchise player, continues to exercise his right under the NFL collective bargaining agreement to skip all offseason activities.
Rather than sign his $15.967 million franchise tender, league sources not authorized to speak publicly reiterated that Clowney is expected to miss the entire offseason and at least a portion of training camp before likely reporting prior to the start of the regular season. The Texans have until July 15 to sign Clowney to a long-term contract extension, but sources say no deal is imminent and negotiations aren't active.