The Texans officially announced the move minutes later.
The Texans made Clowney, who played college football at South Carolina, the No. 1 overall selection in 2014. He has accumulated nine-or-more sacks over the past two seasons.
Clowney has compiled 205 combined tackles, 29 sacks, 11 passes defensed, and five forced fumbles over his five NFL seasons.
The San Francisco 49ers hope to address their pass rush this offseason. The team ranked No. 22 in sacks this past season.
"I think that's a need for us," general manager John Lynch told Colin Cowherd last week. "It's a need for a lot of people. When you say a need, you usually think you're really bad. I just look at it as that's just one piece that's missing from an area where we can become a tough team to deal with.
"We've got guys like DeForest Buckner, and Arik Armstead, and Solomon Thomas inside. If you put that edge presence, I think we can become a unit that is tough to deal with."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers use first-round pick on tight end in 2027 NFL mock draft
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle played 30 snaps last week against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. The All-Pro recorded two receptions for 12 yards on five targets in his return from an Achilles injury suffered in January. With just one week of NFL... -
49ers' Fred Warner surpasses Patrick Willis for franchise record
San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner entered Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season with 948 career tackles, according to Pro Football Reference. That left him two tackles behind the franchise's all-time leader, Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis, who recorded 950 tackles... -
NFL insiders sound alarm about 49ers organization: "Something is off there"
The San Francisco 49ers haven't played a regular-season game yet, but there is already plenty of discussion around the NFL about where the franchise is headed. And some of it isn't pretty. Color me shocked (insert your best sarcasm gif). If people in NFL circles weren't... -
49ers practice and media schedule ahead of Week 2 matchup vs. Dolphins
The San Francisco 49ers will hold four full practices this week as they prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, and quarterback Brock Purdy are scheduled to...