WATCH: Jadeveon Clowney extends Steelers drive with unsportsmanlike conduct penalty

The Cleveland Browns season has officially flamed out as they are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after Sunday’s slate of games. Their debacle of a season has plenty of areas of concern as to why they were unable to live up to this year’s expectations and make a strong playoff push.

One of those reasons has been the lack of discipline on the field of play resulting in unnecessary penalties like the one defensive end Jadeveon Clowney picked up on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jadeveon Clowney penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on this play. #Browns l #CLEvsPIT pic.twitter.com/ya1eOrkEiE

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) January 4, 2022

Clowney made an impressive tackle out in the open field on Steelers receiver Chase Claypool. But after a one-legged hog tie tackle on Claypool, the former number one overall pick rips off the Steelers receiver’s shoe and proceeds to throw it down the field. It resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for Clowney and an automatic first down for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh capitalized on the extra chance, finishing off the drive with a touchdown.

The Browns defense paid the price but Clowney also paid the piper as well. He was benched for a series following the action but did return to the game.

Steelers inactive list versus Browns

Just before kickoff, the team released their inactive list, with four Pittsburgh players not playing.

Rookie linebacker Buddy Johnson is the first name mentioned as he is dealing with a foot injury. Pressley Harvin will miss his second consecutive matchup against Cleveland due to personal reasons. Pittsburgh signed Corliss Waitman to replace Harvin.

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins and defensive end Isaiah Buggs will be out as well, with the latter just coming off the COVID-19 list. Tegray Scales was signed of the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad to fill up on depth at the outside linebacker position.

One of the biggest players to return for the Steelers is rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth. The former Penn State player missed last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs after being in concussion protocol. Freiermuth returned to practice on Thursday and will play.