Jadeveon Clowney

Garafolo noted that the Texans’ game against the Chargers today will go a long way in determining whether the team wants to buy or sell at the trade deadline. Even at 2-5, the team thinks they can make a run at the playoffs. Clowney has been a hired-gun pass-rusher for most of his career. He isn’t starting for Houston and has just 1.5 sacks while playing a career-low 37 percent of the snaps on defense. If the Texans feel that their season is over, he will be one of the easiest players to move on from.

Clowney hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Week 1. Though he isn’t expected to be a major factor in the Texans’ plans, Houston’s defense hasn’t been the shutdown unit that it was last year. They currently rank as a below-average team in EPA per play allowed. Clowney won’t change their fortunes overnight, but he will hopefully help them make incremental improvements.

Clowney bagged two quarterback pressures and one sack last week. His absence in Week 2 is a plus for Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who logged two limited sessions with back tightness this week before practicing in full.

Clowney is the type of veteran who can play without practicing, but at this point, he is firmly questionable to play. Fortunately, the Texans field a deep, talented pass rush and will be okay without him.

Clowney was listed as a non-participant as he deals with a knee injury. This could certainly be a precautionary measure for the veteran, but something to monitor for the Texans’ pass-rush rotation heading into Week 2. Dalton Schultz also did not participate, but was listed as having a rest day and should have no concerns for this week’s matchup against the Bengals.

Clowney totaled 8.5 sacks, 40 quarterback pressures, 26 solo tackles and six TFLs with the Cowboys last year. The signing reunites Clowney, 33, with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2014. He played with them through 2018 before bouncing around the league on one- and two-year deals. He remains a very effective player, having posted a career-best 16.8 percent pass-rush win rate just last year. Clowney’s deal reportedly includes a $5.5 million base salary. He can make up to $8 million.

Clowney inked a one-year deal with the Cowboys last offseason and totaled 8.5 sacks. He has become the league’s preeminent gun for hire on defense, posting at least eight sacks with four different teams. The last time Clowney spent more than one year on a roster was from 2021 to 2022 in Cleveland. After trading Myles Garrett this offseason, the Browns could certainly use some extra firepower at EDGE.

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.