HOUSTON -- Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney isn't back to doing on-field work yet, but the list of people in the Texans organization who have been impressed with his rehab is growing.

It started with general manager Rick Smith several months ago, then Texans coach Bill O'Brien, who has said so repeatedly, and finally inside linebacker Brian Cushing, whose approval is hard to earn.

Next up is J.J. Watt.

"I think obviously we want to get him back on the field, that’s the first thing, we want to get him healthy," Watt said. "But I have seen him mature, I can say that. It’s a good sign. He’s been growing as a person and we’re excited to get him back on the field, whenever that may be and I think he’s going to be a good addition to our team when he comes back."

Clowney suffered a torn lateral meniscus in September, tried to return to play after a few weeks, then had microfracture surgery on Dec. 8. The recovery from microfracture surgery is painstaking and tedious. It takes a great deal of focus and determination. The fact that Smith, O'Brien, Cushing and Watt have all been pleased with what they've seen is a very good sign for the Texans.