NASHVILLE – The Titans have added a "game wrecker" in pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, and players are fired up about it.
Proof can be found on social media, where many Titans have applauded this weekend's move.
During a video conference call on Monday, Titans safety Kevin Byard expressed his excitement.
"I kind of view him as a guy who can wreck an entire game plan," Byard said of Clowney. "He is going to be a guy that teams are going to have to game plan for every single game, whether they are trying to chip-block him, they can't release all their receivers out, and things like that. He is going to be a great addition to our defense – he's great against the run, great against the pass.
"To add a game-wrecker … it is super exciting. We are amped-up going into this week one game and to add a piece like him, a guy that I know is going to come in and bust his tail and try and help us win ball games, it is going to be exciting."
Titans coach Mike Vrabel sounded optimistic about the addition of Clowney, and his availability for the season opener a week from tonight in Denver against the Broncos.
During a video conference call on Monday morning, Vrabel said Clowney is going through the COVID-19 testing protocols and said he should get cleared soon to begin work with the team.
"He has tested, and we'll continue through that process," Vrabel said of Clowney. "Still waiting for him to sign a contract, but hopefully we can meet with him here and try to get him in the building some time tomorrow to work with him and just begin the installation, and then hopefully based on where he's at physically, try to start practicing with the team. I'm hopeful that he'll be able to join our team here shortly."
Vrabel was hesitant to discuss how Clowney's versatility might help the Titans defense, however.
"He hasn't even looked at our playbook yet," Vrabel said. "So for us to start to figure out what the versatility is – we are familiar with the player's skill-set, with J.D.'s skill-set, but where he may potentially fit is all going to depend on how much he can handle."
On Sunday, the Titans and the former Seahawks and Texans pass rusher officially agreed to terms on a one-year contract.
In Tennessee, Clowney has been reunited with Vrabel, who served as an assistant with the Texans prior to joining the Titans.
Clowney played his first five NFL seasons with the Texans before being traded to Seattle prior to the 2019 season. Clowney, 27, has 32 sacks in six NFL seasons, including three sacks in 13 games last season. He added 1.5 sacks in Seattle's two playoff games.
When Vrabel coached Clowney, the pass rusher was a three-time Pro Bowler. Clowney posted career-highs in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (21) and quarterback hits (21) during the 2017 season, when Vrabel served as Houston's defensive coordinator.
Over the past four seasons (since 2016), Clowney is one of only three NFL players with at least 60 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and 150 quarterback pressures, per Sportradar. The others on the list are Aaron Donald and Chandler Jones. He ranks fourth in the NFL over those four seasons in tackles for loss with 60.
"I think we are always excited to add players that want to be a part of our organization, which I think it is evident that Jadeveon is – I'll let him speak on that when he has the opportunity," Vrabel said. "We are just trying to add the right pieces, the guys that love football and want to be here. And we'll start working with him when he gets in here."
A look at veteran DE Jadevion Clowney, who agreed to terms with the Titans on Sunday. (AP Photos)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, avoids being sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during an NFL regular season football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 37-30. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) applies pressure to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) reacts during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Seattle won 27-24 in overtime. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs back an interception for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals offensive guard J.R. Sweezy (64) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney (90) in action on defense during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 28-23. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) returns a fumble 10-yards for a score during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 27-24 in overtime. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs in pursuit as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters (71) blocks during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 in Philadelphia. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 17-9. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) stands on the field against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 28-23. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs in an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) in action against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. Seattle won 17-9. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Seattle Seahawks' Jadeveon Clowney lies on the field during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) reacts to fans as he walks to the bench area after halftime during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 in Philadelphia. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 17-9. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Jadeveon Clowney (90) hits Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. Wentz was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel (16) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Houston. The Texans defeated the Titans, 57-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is sacked by Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is sacked by Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2018, file photo, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is sacked by Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, in Indianapolis. This is what the Texans envisioned when they selected the defensive end with the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, FIle)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler (6) is sacked by Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans won 20-7. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) during an NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Denver. The Texans won, 19-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) chases after New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during an NFL preseason football game on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016 in Houston. Houston won 16-9. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during an NFL game on December 13, 2015. The Patriots defeated the Texans 27-6. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates a sack during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) hover over Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) after Clwoney sacked Taylor during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) is to the right. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after a tackle with teammate Quintin Demps (27) during a Week 15 NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in Houston. The Texans beat the Jaguars 21-20. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates with teammates J.J. Watt (99) and Whitney Mercilus (59) after a sack during a Week 14 NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday Dec. 13, 2015 in Houston. The Patriots beat the Texans 27-6. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after sacking Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Denver. Houston won 19-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) enters the field prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on Sunday, September 13, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Kansas City won 27-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Indianapolis won 27-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
