While the remaking of the Cowboys‘ defense over the course of this season largely is credited to the addition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the November trade deadline, the process began earlier than that. The Cowboys were lacking in the pass rush before the Williams deal–following the Micah Parsons trade–and took a big step in resolving that issue with an earlier signing: Jadeveon Clowney, the 12-year veteran and former No. 1 overall pick.
Clowney has been very good for the Cowboys, with 4.0 sacks and nine pressures in 12 games, despite playing on a part-time basis (40% of the snaps). But he suffered a hamstring injury before last week’s loss to the Lions, and had to sit out, a tough blow in a game that was decided in the trenches. The Cowboys needed all the help they could get, and while Dak Prescott faced 22 pressures in the loss, the Lions’ Jared Goff faced only eight.
Cowboys Hopeful on Jadeveon Clowney in Week 15
But there is good news on Clowney, according to team VP Stephen Jones. He told the team website on Wednesday that Clowney and his hamstring injury are on the upswing, and also offered a positive outlook on receiver CeeDee Lamb (concussion).
Also worth watching, though less positive: left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee).
Said Jones: “This will be a big week to get some of those guys back. It really looks good on CeeDee and Clowney. Still a little question mark on Guyton. Obviously, we will see how practice goes this week and see how Diggs does. He has played a lot of great football for us and we need to get that out of him.”
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
Jadeveon Clowney Practiced (Limited) on Wednesday
Guyton did not practice on Wednesday, raising concerns about his ability to play on Sunday. But Clowney was a limited participant, a step toward getting him back. Diggs and Lamb, too, were limited.
The Cowboys’ defensive front will be tested on Sunday for sure. It will be up to the interior of the defense, anchored by Williams, to contain the Vikings running game, especially Aaron Jones–who has gashed the Cowboys defense multiple times when he was with the Packers, including going for 118 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ last playoff game, after the 2023 season.
Cowboys Need to Slow Vikings Run Game
Getting Williams and Co. to limit Jones will go a long way toward setting up Clowney and Co. to rush second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy.
“(Williams) has been a big acquisition for us. Things started going our way defensively once we acquired him. I really like the way that coach (Matt) Eberflus has been playing him when he plays Osa, Kenny Clark and Q in there at the same time. It gives teams a lot of fits. I think we’re fourth in the run since we acquired Q and I think he has really helped us out,” Jones said.
“On top of that, obviously, he can translate that into pressures and sacks as well. He is one of the best defensive tackles in the game, along with the two we already have. We are really pleased with how this defensive front is shaping up. … Clowney’s playing at a real high level, we missed him in the Detroit game. He is really playing well for us.”
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