Texans' Clowney credits yoga for weight loss

Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is facing the weight of great expectations with a refined physique.

Clowney slimmed down from 284 pounds to 265 over the offseason, and credits yoga for his transformation.

"I stretched a lot more, went to yoga (and a) chiropractor. I did everything that I wasn't doing before. It's starting to help me a lot, so everything is coming together at the right time," Clowney said to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Selected first overall by the Texans in 2014, Clowney seldom met the towering pre-draft hype surrounding him over the course of his first two seasons, as he was hampered by myriad injuries.

Playing alongside reigning defensive player of the year J.J. Watt and breakout edge-rusher Whitney Mercilus, Clowney is expected to be a key contributor to a dominant pass rush.

He is well aware that Texans fans and prognosticators alike are waiting for him to match his potential, and his offseason weight loss ought to make him a faster, healthier player.

"Speed and strength is key to playing and staying on the field," Clowney said. "My teammates are counting on me, and I'm counting on myself to come out here and perform. I let my game speak for itself."