The Houston Texans expect Jadeveon Clowney to play in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Clowney returned to practice Aug. 17 after a lengthy recovery from microfracture surgery.

"I think he's doing well," Bill O'Brien said. "I think we've got a good plan in place for him from a medical perspective ... little bit more every day. He wants to be in there more, which is a great sign. It means he's probably feeling pretty good. ... We'll just keep inching him forward to be able to go in that first game."

"I'm rusty," Clowney said. "I'm just trying to get as many reps as I can. Tell coach to put me in as much as possible. They're not trying to rush me back. Working me in slowly. I'll still be trying to get as many reps as I can so I can get ready for the game."