Houston (CBS Houston) – The Texans top overall pick is so close to making his return to the field after suffering a knee injury week one, he would be surprised if he didn’t play against the Titans.

“I’m the best as I’m going to be this season,” Clowney said. “[I’ll] take it and play football now.”

It has been over six weeks, the estimated timetable for return, since Clowney underwent arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. He hasn’t played since the first half of the season opener against Washington.

The knee bothering Clowney could be a lingering problem for the rest of the season.

“Sometimes you’ve got to push through,” he said. “It’s going to be there ’til I get a long break to rest.”

On Tuesday Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien said Clowney wouldn’t be given the starting spot and would need to work back into the rotation at linebacker.

“It’s not a message,” Clowney said. “Like [O’Brien] said ‘around here everybody is a starter when you’re out there on the field.’ No matter if I come in third quarter, fourth quarter. We’re all starters.”

Clowney said he is focusing on getting back into football shape and his cutting ability, which had been one of the chief reasons he couldn’t play Monday, is getting better.

He’s been conditioning his mind too.

“I always [visualize] myself making plays out there on the field no matter who it’s against,” he said. “I’m thinking about how I’m going to make plays.”

So is everybody who is waiting for your return to the field.

Stoots on Twitter – @Cody_Stoots

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