Jadeveon Clowney Fixing Cowboys’ Big Problem Before Week 8
The hope for the Cowboys is that what we saw from the defense in the impressive Week 7 win over the Commanders–a 44-22 dismantling–can be carried over into Week 8 and beyond, that it was not the product of a Washington team struggling with quarterback Jayden Daniels not at full health. Dallas’s willingness to move from Matt Eberflus’s zone into more man-to-man coverage gives some hope, but so did the performance from one veteran at a spot in which the Cowboys really need production.
The spot is pass rusher. The veteran is Jadeveon Clowney.
The Cowboys signed Clowney, the former No. 1 overall pick, last month to help fix a struggling pass rush, and after three mediocre games to start his Cowboys career, he had a doozy on Sunday. Clowney had a sack, knocked down two passes and recovered a fumble on the day, not bad for a mere 26 snaps worth of work.
Cowboys Saw Big Improvement Heading Into Week 8
At Pro Football Focus, Clowney’s previous three games had yielded unimpressive grades. In Week 7, he had one of the best pass-rushing performances in the NFL, and got a defensive grade of 89.6, a vast improvement over the 30.6 grade he received in Week 6.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was impressed.
“He’s so happy to be here,” the coach said. “He’s having fun playing football again. For me, that’s important because of the culture we’re trying to build here. It was good to see him get a sack and recover a fumble because that’s why we went out and got him. I probably downplayed it a little bit, just his ability to impact games.
“But I wanted to wait until he had a moment like this to give him the acknowledgement of what a fine, fine football player he is.”
Jadeveon Clowney ‘Bringing Energy’
The Cowboys started the season with one of the worst pass-rush units in the NFL, but gradually, they have been improving. PFF grades the team’s pass rush at 70.8, which is 16th in the NFL. With the offense that the Cowboys have, just getting the defense to league average would make this an imposing team to face.
Clowney was let go by the Panthers for contract reasons after last season, and spent the summer unsigned. Without a training camp, he needed some time to ramp up, but if what they saw in Week 7 keeps rolling in Week 8, the Cowboys got themselves a steal.
“Just bringing my energy, my effort out there, and I think that’s going to be enough for me. Just let my play do the talking,” Clowney said after signing.
“I feel good. Football, it’s coming back, like riding a bike. Just get out there and go, and work your hands and make sure you just run to the ball, you’ll get in shape.”
Steelers Part Ways with Injured Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren
PITTSBURGH — After an injury knocked a rookie Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman out of action, his time with the organization has officially come to an end. The Steelers waived Gareth Warren, a massive, 22-year-old offensive tackle, according to the NFL's transaction list.
The move comes after Warren was injured during the Steelers’ second preseason game. Diving for a loose ball, he received a concussion and was unable to return for the rest of preseason action. After being waived with the final roster cuts, the team placed him on the Reserved/Injured List. Now healthy, the team is parting ways with him altogether.
With this designation, Warren is now free to sign with any other NFL team.
Unexpected Rise
Warren joined the Steelers after going undrafted during the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6’6”, 330-pound tackle was passed over after finishing his collegiate career at the FCS school Lindenwood. With several NFL teams interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent, he chose to sign in
The step was a continuation of Warren’s rise up the ranks. Born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, he was a standout player at Kealakaehe High School before becoming joining the Lindenwood Lions. As a junior, he was a part of an offensive line that dominated the conference and FCS competition. The Lions averaged 39.5 points per game and 509.1 yards per game, both tops in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
Lack of Opportunity
Despite showing promise and potential, the road to a spot on the 53-man roster was long. And the road to becoming an impact player at the tackle position even longer.
It’s no disrespect to Warren, but he’s an unrefined player in need of further development and more attention in order to take that next step. Receiving that in Pittsburgh was a low possibility.
The Steelers have two young tackles they fully believe in already. Troy Fautanu has already become an unquestioned staple on the right side, despite this being his first year of playing regular season games in the NFL.
Broderick Jones has similarly gained more and more trust from the Steelers’ coaching staff and starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. He and Fautanu haven’t allowed a sack in two straight games, and the offensive line is gelling more and more as the season progresses.
Behind Jones and Fautanu, the Steelers also have veterans like Dylan Cook and Andrus Peat that can step up in the case of injury.
The result is a crowded path for Warren to become an NFL player, and the Steelers are now giving him the chance to catch on somewhere else.
