Report: Texans' Jadeveon Clowney played through sports hernia last year

Texans rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney says he played through a sports hernia last season, according to a tweet from John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

McClain reports the South Carolina product told NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt about the injury. Clowney had sports hernia surgery earlier this month after reports that he was dealing with a groin issue at his April pro day. Clowney later said that his injury did not occur before he was drafted in May.

Clowney recorded 54 tackles and 13 sacks in 2012 but saw his production dip last season as questions arose about his work ethic and conditioning. The 6-foot-5, 266-pound linebacker was also hampered by a stomach virus, bone spurs in his foot and bruised ribs last season. It is unclear whether Clowney will be ready for the start of training camp.