HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) – Texans OLB Jadeveon Clowney last played in an NFL game in late November against the Cincinnati Bengals after being sidelined with an injured knee that required micro fracture surgery.

On Sunday, Clowney returned to the Texans defense with an effective performance in limited action in Houston’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

On Sunday, Clowney had four tackles, including one for a loss on a 3rd-and-1 play to end the Chiefs’ first third quarter drive .

Clowney was excited to finally be back on the field after not playing the entire preseason despite being healthy in training camp.

“It’s a long, long comeback. I felt great out there. I felt good,” Clowned said. (Bill O’Brien) kept me down a little bit, but that’s part of the process, work my way back into this year.”

JJ Watt, who picked up where he left off in 2014 with two sacks in his first game of the year, was complimentary of Clowney’s effort in his first game back.

“That was a big third down stop that he got. I think you’re going to see him more and more. I know he wants to continue to get more and more reps, so I’m sure as the season progresses, he’ll do that, especially if he continues to go out there and earn it.”

Clowney was limited to the amount of snaps he got in his first game back but did start the game. He was told by the staff to not try and do too much as he’s still in the re-hab process.

“Coach told me to just let the game come to me, don’t go out there and be antsy because all week long I was like, ‘I don’t know how it’s going to go, I’m ready to play,” Clowney said. “They limited my reps, so it was just getting the feel of the game and having fun.”

Coach O’Brien did not specify if Clowney would get additional reps in next week’s game versus Carolina. Clowney knows it is a process and when is trying to be ass effective as possible when he is in the game.

“Whatever I can do to help the team get into position to comeback or win the game, period. So I was out there trying to make plays,” Clowney said.

Alex Del Barrio can be heard on Saturday afternoons with Matt Murphy from 3-7 pm on Sportsradio 610. Follow Alex Del Barrio on Twitter: @alexdelbarrio