Jadeveon Clowney in danger of missing start of 2015 season

It wasn't just some minor clean-up knee surgery that ended 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney's injury-filled and disappointing rookie season.

The Houston Chronicle reported that the knee surgery that put Clowney on injured reserve was microfracture surgery, a significant procedure that has a nine-month recovery period. He had the surgery Monday, which is within a few days of nine months before the start of the 2015 regular season.

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In other words, if Clowney's recovery goes exactly as scheduled he would be ready for Week 1 after missing all of the offseason program, training camp and preseason. And it can't be a guarantee that he'll be ready for the start of next season.

“He had microfracture surgery,” Texans general manager Rick Smith told the Houston Chronicle. “It’s a pretty extensive rehab period. We’re hoping to have him back for the start of the season.

“The original injury he suffered on opening day wasn’t just limited to the lateral meniscus. He also had some cartilage damage, as well.”

Smith said when Clowney hurt his knee in the season opener, the surgery was to clean up the meniscus and cartilage in his right knee, and the team hoped that would be enough. But his knee never got healthy.

Clowney, lauded for his pass-rushing skills coming out of college, had no sacks in four games as a rookie. And now, the deck is stacked against one of the most exciting prospects in many years having a huge impact in his second season, either.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab

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