HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Johnathan Joseph's reaction to the Texans trading Jadeveon Clowney was the natural reaction to losing a longtime teammate.
"I was upset from a friend standpoint," Joseph told reporters after the Texans practiced inside NRG Stadium Monday.
Joseph played with Clowney for five seasons, and he said he and Clowney spoke often as the free agent waited for his contract situation to be resolved.
"He's a brother to me," Joseph said. "Been knowing him forever, but at the end of the day, I'm glad he's happy. Obviously, it's a business, and (we have to) move forward now."
Clowney's old teammates will open the 2019 season Monday night in New Orleans, and even though he missed the entire offseason, there was always the possibility the three-time Pro Bowler could return to the team. Now that he's been dealt to Seattle, that chance has been thrown out the window, and the focus turns to replacing the top pick of the 2014 draft.
"Next man up is pretty much the mentality," Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. "We gotta go out there, go make some plays, be disruptive, create havoc."
In return for Clowney, the Texans recieved a third round pick in next year's draft as well as a couple of players that will contribute this season, linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin, and Mercilus is excited about what they bring to the table.
"Great additions," he declared. "Just gotta get them caught up to speed on the defense and all that. Definitely had their first day out there (Monday), did a few simple things on defense, and so, we'll just bring them along.
With Clowney gone, roles on the Texans defense are going to change, and few will feel those changes more than Mercilus.
"I played SAM (linebacker) last year, this year, now I'm at the JACK position, so now, that's a change, essentially. Guys fill different positions, and also (Brennan) Scarlett, who is now starting, playing the SAM position.
