The Texans should feel good about SundayÕs win, but losing Jadeveon Clowney (torn meniscus) is killer. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Houston (CBS Houston) – With a good week of practice the Texans could have their top overall draft selection back on the field this weekend.

“He should be out there in practice and we’ll be able to see it first hand, and see how he feels and then be able to make a determination pretty soon about whether he can play or not,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said about Jadeveon Clowney’s status.

The team worked Clowney out prior to the Steelers game, but when it was done Clowney told the staff his ability to cut wasn’t totally recovered.

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. He practiced for the first time since the injury last week.

When Clowney returns he will have to contend with Whitney Mercilus for playing time at outside linebacker. Clowney beat Mercilus for the starting spot coming out of camp.

O’Brien knows Clowney will have to beat Mercilus again if he wants to see the field.

“When [Clowney] comes back he’ll have to work back into the mix,” O’Brien said. “That’s not just going to be something that’s handed to him that’s for sure…You don’t just hand it to a guy coming off of six weeks being out.”

When he does return to action O’Brien said Clowney wouldn’t be playing a full load but that he would be “for lack of a better term eased back into the rotation.”

Stoots on Twitter – @Cody_Stoots

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