Blogging The Boys
More often than not, a sweeping change in the coaching staff can be detrimental to carryover prospects from previous drafts. But for Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark, his fourth season is already looking up compared to his last one. After nearly falling off the roster in 2024, Clark could be returning to a significant role in a pivotal contract year.
Clark’s had a roller-coaster career so far in Dallas. A fifth-round pick in 2022, he had undergone a spinal surgery in March, which kept him out until October. But he returned to play in 10 games and even started five. In 2023, with injuries to Leighton Vander Esch and DeMarvion Overshown, Clark started all 17 games. It was more due to necessity than merit, but Clark performed adequately given his own inexperience.
Last year, Mike Zimmer’s arrival as defensive coordinator was bad news for Clark. Dan Quinn’s scheme rewarded Clark’s athleticism, while Zimmer’s made his lack of strength a greater liability. Clark was naturally going to fall behind Overshown and veteran Eric Kendricks in the rotation, but even rookie Marist Liufau quickly ate into his role. Clark’s share of the defensive snaps plummeted from 784 in 2023 to just 163 last season, most of which came in the early games.
Given the dramatic shift in job security and a $3.4 million cap hit in 2025, Clark was a logical candidate to be a salary cap casualty this offseason. But the Cowboys have stood by him so far, and given him an excellent opportunity to restore momentum under new DC Matt Eberflus. During his last run in Dallas, Eberflus was known for maximizing the potential of Day 3 linebackers like Anthony Hitchens, Damien Wilson, and Kyle Wilber.
Even just a few weeks into training camp, Eberflus’s scheme and influence seem to have helped Clark. All reports indicate a night-and-day difference from last year in terms of his confidence and activity. And while he didn’t have the big preseason performance last Saturday, like teammate Marist Liufau did, Clark’s rising stock among his fellow linebackers was indicated in the Cowboys’ latest depth chart release.
While Liufau and veterans Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray are listed as the starters, Clark got a very important “or” placed between his and Liufau’s names. Essentially, that means they are seen as equals in terms of role and status. So when it comes to the Cowboys LB corps going into September, there’s a very clear top four (not counting the injured Overshown) just two weeks away from roster cuts.
Before this summer, Damone Clark didn’t project to be on that tier. Some thought his salary would be his undoing months ago, and others likely moved on to fresher faces like fifth-round rookie Shemar James or their favorite UDFA. But so far in Oxnard, Clark has found his footing and is far closer to playing a major role than not making the team. It’s a pretty big turnaround for a player who seemed nearly lost after last year.
