Jadeveon

Clowney

Clowney (hamstring) attempted to give it a go in warmups after practicing once, a limited session on Wednesday, this week. He will be missed against the Lions’ top-notch offense. The Cowboys have once again declared Blue, the once-exciting rookie, inactive this week. He does not need to be stashed at this time.

Clowney will suit up against against an injury-marred Eagles offensive line after missing practice time this week while dealing with a shoulder/neck issue. It’s a plus for a Dallas defense that has gotten much healthier over the past few weeks. Dallas declared RB Jaydon Blue, WR Jalen Tolbert, OL Hakeem Adeniji, DT Jay Toia, and DT Perrion Winfrey inactive against the Eagles.

According to the report, Clowney was arrested for trespassing and failure to identify in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, on September 12th. Both charges are misdemeanors. Clowney reportedly tried to park his car in a closed parking lot where parking was not permitted. The veteran pass rusher signed with the Cowboys last Sunday and participated in practice this week. It would be surprising if he faced any kind of suspension for this.

Shortly after their overtime win against the Giants, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced the team signed Clowney after meeting with him last week. Clowney, who totaled 5.5 sacks in 14 games with the Panthers last season, will likely serve as a situational pass rusher once he gets up to speed. Depending on how his week goes, it’s possible we see him in Week 3 when the Cowboys face the Bears at Soldier Field.

The Cowboys are looking for defensive help after being shredded by the Eagles in Week 1. Without EDGE rushers Micah Parsons, who was dealt to the Packers in August, Dallas logged a 15 percent pressure rate against the Eagles, the 16th highest rate in Week 1. Last year they led the NFL with a 31 percent pressure rate. Clowney, 32, totaled 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 14 games with the Panthers last season. He’s one year removed from a career-high 9.5 sack season with the Ravens.

Clowney was released by the Panthers after one season and remains a free agent. The veteran pass rusher told Josina Anderson he has “been keeping in touch with four to five teams” but didn’t specify which teams he was in contact with. Clowney totaled 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 14 games with the Panthers last season, but is just one year removed from a career-high 9.5 sack season with the Ravens. He’ll be 32 at the start of this season and will serve primarily as a situational pass rusher wherever he may land.

Clowney was a cut candidate heading into the draft, and then the Panthers spent both of their Day Two picks on pass rushers, sealing Clowney’s fate. The veteran EDGE is no stranger to free agency, having changed teams in all but one of the past six seasons. He totaled 5.5 sacks and broke up four passes with the Panthers in 2024. Though Clowney never lived up to his No. 1 overall pick hype, he is a high-floor outside linebacker who shouldn’t have any issues finding working somewhere around the league in 2025.

Carolina drafted two defensive ends on Day 2 of the draft — Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen — and signed Patrick Jones II in free agency earlier this offseason. It’s possible that they move on from Clowney to save some of the $13.775 million he’s set to count against the cap in 2025. A trade would save them $9.775 million, while a release would save $7.775 million. Clowney’s entering his age-32 season after starting 14 games for the Panthers last year and notching 5.5 sacks.

He was doubtful after trending the wrong way this week with his quad injury: full practice on Wednesday, limited on Thursday, and no practice on Friday. This could be a more extended absence than the Panthers hoped for. OLB Jadeveon Clowney (knee) also won’t play off a questionable tag, while TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck) returns from a scary hit in Week 12. S Jammie Robinson, CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Akayleb Evans, CB Caleb Farley (shoulder), and OL Jarrett Kingston round out Carolina’s inactives.

Clowney was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday but logged a limited session on Friday. The veteran pass rusher hasn’t played since Week 5 and will likely miss his second-straight game with the injury. In addition to Clowney, the Panthers also listed safety Sam Franklin Jr. and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy as doubtful.