Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is painfully aware of his defense’s struggles, but he has made it clear that help is on the way before a big Week 4 game against the former Cowboys star Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers.
That’s defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney, who didn’t play in the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, 31-14. Clowney signed with the Cowboys last week, but he was arrested on misdemeanor trespassing and failure to identify charges. Jones said there “none at all” when it comes to concerns about Clowney making his debut.
“I’m very familiar with the details of the matter. It’s not serious in any way. It’s not an influence here at all. And yes, I do expect him to make his debut, and I do expect him to give us the benefit of the things that he does the best, which is — guess what? You spell it with a P. It’s called pressure. But he can also defend the run.”
A three-time Pro Bowler and former No. 1 pick, Clowney has become a journeyman in the past six years with five different stops. He spent the first five years of his career with the Houston Texans, followed by stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Carolina Panthers.
Jadeveon Clowney Still Has Something Left
Clowney has 409 tackles, 58 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, one interception, 32 pass deflections, and four defensive touchdowns in his career. Last season, he tallied 5.5 sacks, 46 tackles, and four pass deflections in 14 games for the Panthers.
Yes, we fully expect him to be able to come in and help,” Cowboys executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Monday. “We’re gonna look at this film very closely and seeing exactly where our shortfalls are and seeing where we can do some things differently to have success. I certainly believe we have the coaching staff and the players to play good defense.”
Jadeveon Clowney Could Boost Cowboys Pass Rush
Clowney can help alleviate the departure of Parsons via a trade on Aug. 28. The Cowboys defense has plummeted this season with and ranks 30th in the league for overall defense.
He can boost a pass rush that has only produced four sacks this year, and he can complement the only player the Cowboys received in the Parsons trade. Dallas picked up defensive lineman Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks in last month’s deal.
As soon as Kenny Clark signed here, I told my agent, ‘I think that will be a good move for me,” Clowney told Cowboys.com’s Nicole Hutchinson. “They’ve got a good secondary, and they’ve got good [defensive] tackles. They just need [me]. Yeah, I need to be there, so see if you can make the call and make something happen to get me in Dallas.’ And I’m here.”
A South Carolina native, Clowney recognizes the significance of playing for the Cowboys. Clowney grew up a Panthers fan.
Growing up, all I heard about were the Cowboys, all my life,” he told Hutchison. All my family, and the rivalries and stuff, so to be here playing for Cowboys — I’m looking forward to it, and it’s exciting, man.
Cowboys to Get Help Before Packers Game, Jerry Jones Says