Jadeveon Clowney’s time in Cleveland is over.
One day after he criticized the team and coaching staff, the Browns sent the former No. 1 overall pick home before practice Friday all but guaranteeing the defensive end won’t play in the Browns’ season-finale vs Steelers.
Clowney, who’s in his second season with the Browns, said in an interview Tuesday with Cleveland.com that he didn’t feel appreciate and was “95% sure” he wasn’t coming back for a third season.
Clowney, who missed four games this season because of an ankle injury and concussion, only has two sacks this season. After reviving his career last season with nine sacks, the 29-year-old Clowney signed his second straight one-year contract as a free agent in May.
Browns defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said Clowney refused to play on any down other than third in the Oct. 23 game at Baltimore.
In the interview, Clowney also said the Browns are giving Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett preferential treatment and were focused only on getting him to the Hall of Fame. Clowney said he had no issues with Garrett, who has 15 sacks going into the finale.
Clowney was the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 by Houston. He spent five seasons with the Texans before playing one year with Seattle and Tennessee.
