Clowney not active for playoff game, leaves stadium, returns

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney left the stadium Saturday before the playoff game and then returned.

Clowney is not active for the NFL Wild Card game against the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Lisa Salters of ESPN Clowney felt he was healthy enough to play and stormed out of the locker room when finding out he wasn’t playing.

Clowney hurt his foot in week 16 against the Tennessee Titans and didn’t play in the Texans week 17 game against the Jaguars. Players are allowed to leave if they are inactive.

Clowney had been listed as questionable this week. Clowney did not practice Wednesday but practiced on a limited basis Thursday. The Texans held a walkthrough Friday and listed Clowney as "did not practice" on their injury report.

This season Clowney has been healthier than his rookie year. He missed one game with an ankle injury and another with a back injury but played in 13 games with 40 tackles, 4.5 sacks and six passes defended.

Clowney played at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill and then at the University of South Carolina.

NFL.com reported that Clowney left to deal with a family matter.

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Clowney not active for playoff game, leaves stadium, returns."