Clowney along with starting rookie center Nick Martin, who has a tight back, didn't make the trip for the Texans' joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers in advance of their preseason game Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
Clowney hasn't practiced all week and the Chronicle reported Wednesday that he wouldn't practice this week and would return next week with sources not authorized to speak publicly downplaying the severity of the injury for the former top overall draft pick from South Carolina.
"JD is back at home," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's got a little soreness in the knee, nothing serious. I felt like it was something where let's give him a few days here, get him with our trainer back in Houston and let him get ready for next week when New Orleans comes to town."
A second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, Martin has been sidelined for four consecutive practices. Martin is a projected starter on the depth chart.
"Nick is dealing with a little back issue," O'Brien said. "We didn't want him sitting on a plane for a few hours. I'm not concerned. Neither one of those things are life-threatening injuries."
If it was the regular season, the expectation is that Clowney would be on the field. The thinking is that it doesn't make sense to risk injury during the preseason.
And the Texans are going to be careful with several key players during the preseason, keeping in line with how O'Brien has handled things the previous two years of his tenure.
Last year, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, nose tackle Vince Wilfork and cornerback Johnathan Joseph didn't play in any preseason games.