Former Northwestern DL Lands Another NFL Opportunity With Giants

Former Northwestern defensive lineman Dean Lowry is getting another opportunity to continue his NFL career.

Lowry plans to sign with the New York Giants’ practice squad, according to Jeremy Fowler, giving the veteran defensive lineman another chance after he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers during final roster cuts on Aug. 30. The move comes after a difficult stretch for Lowry, who missed the entire 2025 season because of a torn ACL suffered during Steelers training camp. 

Now, the 32-year-old Lowry has an opportunity to work his way back into an NFL rotation with the Giants.

The former Northwestern standout enters his 10th NFL season with plenty of experience to offer. He has appeared in 132 career games with 85 starts, recording 271 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 35 quarterback hits, 18 passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble and five fumble recoveries. 

Lowry spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers after being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He later played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 before joining the Steelers. His best statistical season came in 2021 with Green Bay, when he recorded a career-high five sacks, five passes defended and 42 tackles. 

His NFL career has already lasted longer than many players ever get to experience, but the past few seasons have presented some challenges.

Lowry appeared in nine games for Minnesota in 2023 before finishing the season on injured reserve. He then played 12 games for Pittsburgh in 2024, recording five tackles and one sack, before the torn ACL kept him off the field for the entire 2025 season.

The Steelers gave him another opportunity by re-signing him to a one-year contract in May, but he was ultimately released as part of the team’s final roster cuts this August.  Rather than seeing that release as the end of his career, Lowry now has another opportunity with New York.

The Giants are looking for additional depth along their defensive line, and Lowry brings something that cannot be easily replicated: nearly a decade of NFL experience. 

New York general manager Joe Schoen indicated the team wanted to add a veteran defensive lineman, and Lowry gives the Giants an experienced player who has spent years competing at the highest level. 

For Northwestern fans, Lowry’s journey to another NFL opportunity is especially notable.

Before becoming a longtime NFL defensive lineman, Lowry was a major contributor for the Wildcats. During his Northwestern career, he appeared in 48 games and started 33, finishing with 134 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three interceptions, 21 passes defended, three fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles.

Those numbers helped Lowry establish himself as an NFL prospect before the Packers selected him in 2016. A decade later, he is still finding ways to remain around the league.

The Giants’ practice squad could give Lowry an important opportunity to continue his comeback. Players on the practice squad can be elevated to the active roster on game days, meaning Lowry could potentially work his way into a role as the season progresses. 

For a player coming off a significant ACL injury and a difficult roster cut, the opportunity is about much more than simply adding another team to his résumé. It gives Lowry a chance to prove he can still contribute at the NFL level.

The Giants also provide a fresh environment and another defensive staff for Lowry to work with as he continues getting back to full form.

Nothing is guaranteed at this stage, but Lowry has already shown throughout his career that he can overcome adversity and find a way to contribute. From Northwestern to seven seasons in Green Bay, a stop in Minnesota and two seasons in Pittsburgh, he has built a career that has lasted nearly a decade.

Now, he gets another chance.

For Northwestern, it is another reminder of the program’s ability to develop defensive talent that can reach and remain at the highest level of football.

For Lowry, the hope is that this opportunity with the Giants can become the next chapter in a long NFL career and potentially give the veteran one more chance to perform at a high level on Sundays.