AP

When Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was spotted in a walking boot on Friday, it was cause for concern: Clowney missed most of his rookie year with a knee injury, and the Texans would hate to lose the 2014 No. 1 overall pick for significant time again.

But Texans coach Bill O’Brien says the walking boot is not a sign of a serious injury, and the Texans expect Clowney to play next week.

“I just saw him just now before I walked in here, and he seemed to be doing well,” O’Brien said, via ESPN. “I think you guys probably saw he had a boot on, but that’s just precautionary. He likes to go play pick-up hoop and things like that. Going to try to avoid doing that this weekend.”

Clowney has shown flashes of the raw talent that made him one of the most exciting defensive prospects ever to enter the draft, including a great tackle on Frank Gore on Thursday night. But he still hasn’t recorded a single sack in his NFL career, which is a huge disappointment for a pass rusher drafted first overall. Perhaps he can do it next Sunday in Jacksonville.