Cowboys Pushing Decision on Jadeveon Clowney for Week 3
The Cowboys finally got pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to The Star this week, but whether we see him on the field when Dallas plays the Bears in Chicago this week is another story. Clowney, who was released by the Panthers in May, has not had a training camp but has said he’s ready to take the field.
After owner Jerry Jones said there’d be a chance Clowney plays earlier in the week, his son and team VP Stephen Jones said it’s not quite sure that will be the case.
“Right now, it’s gonna be a gametime decision,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday. “But we’re seeing how he does, he did more today. I know Jerry mentioned he’d have a chance to play but after practice, and talking about it today, it’s probably a final gametime decision but leaning toward him not playing this week.”
Jadeveon Clowney Arrested
Clowney, it was revealed this week, was arrested on a trespassing charge shortly before signing with the Cowboys. The incident occurred on September 12 back in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the charge was a misdemeanor. Clowney was apparently trying to park in a lot that was closed and said he was detained for about 20 minutes.
He termed the situation, “frustrating.”
“Nobody knows what happened, they just going off (the report) and (police) always get the last say,” he said. “It happened and it was just a parking situation more than anything, and it escalated and if you know anything about South Carolina and where I’m from, you know how that can go. It can go left very fast and it went left.”
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboys Could Have Clowney on the Field
As for playing, Clowney that being a pass rusher is not all that complicated. “It’s just football,” he said. He feels ready to play, but will kick back if the Cowboys want to give him another week.
“I’ve been practicing, we’ll see how it goes,” Clowney said. “It’s not my first time. I’ve done it about three times. Whoever they got playing man, I’m just looking forward for the opportunity to get out there and get going.”
Cowboys Defense Badly Needs Improvement
Obviously, the Cowboys need to improve their defense after giving up 450 yards passing to Russell Wilson and the Giants last week. Their pass rush currently ranks 17th in the NFL by Pro Football Focus grades, and their injury-riddled secondary ranks 22nd.
“The pass rush is going to get better,” Jones said. “We’re not going to solve it overnight with one player, but getting Clowney in, I think, helps it.”
The overall defense should get better, too.
Said Jones: “I think it is a work in progress. Obviously, you can’t do that, give up the yardage we gave up and the points we gave up, the big plays, the explosive plays. Everybody on the staff, our team, the organization is aware you don’t win many football games doing that. We’ve got one of the best in the business in Matt Eberflus and I’ve got all the confidence in the world we’re gonna do what we need to do to shore that up.”
Jadeveon Clowney Breaks Silence on Misdemeanor Charge Ahead of Cowboys’ Week 3 Game
Shortly after signing with the Dallas Cowboys, reports of Jadeveon Clowney getting arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing emerged. Ahead of the team’s Week 3 matchup with the Chicago Bears, Clowney is still brushing that issue aside.
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Clowney was arrested for parking in an apartment complex parking lot after being told by an officer that he was not permitted to do so. He was briefly taken to a nearby jail and now claims that he plans to dispute the charges.
“It was a parking situation and just escalated,” Clowney told reporters, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “If you know anything about South Carolina, where I’m from, you know how that can go left very fast, and that kind of went left.”
Clowney signed with the Cowboys on Sept. 14, four months after his release from the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers gave him the axe one month after selecting three defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Since joining the team, Clowney has practiced with the Cowboys throughout Week 3, but the team does not expect him to play. Co-owner Spencer Jones previously said he expects the former All-Pro to get another week of practice in before taking the field.
Jadeveon Clowney bolsters Cowboys’ weak pass-rush
Upon joining the team, Clowney is listed as a backup defensive end behind Sam Williams and Dante Fowler. His presence would be a significant boost to a struggling unit that has generated just four sacks thus far, tied for the ninth-fewest in the league.
Only three players have managed to get to the quarterback thus far — Kenny Clark, James Houston and Marshawn Kneeland. The subpar numbers come despite facing a weak New York Giants offensive line in Week 2 that had Russell Wilson running for his life in their season opener.
At 32, Clowney is clearly no longer the player he once was. However, he still managed to record 5.5 sacks with the Panthers in 2024 and 9.5 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
Even if Clowney does not officially join the Cowboys for their Week 3 clash with the Bears, his presence should be immediately noticeable. His next chance to make his season debut will be against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium.
