Damone Clark Injury News & Updates

Clark (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Clark began the season with a substantial role on Dallas' defense but has slipped into a special teams role since Week 8. Overall, he saw his defensive snaps drop from 741 in 2023 to 159 in 2024, and he'll close the campaign in disappointing fashion as a healthy scratch.

Clark (coach's decision) is inactive for Week 11 against Houston on Monday Night Football, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Clark was a starter last season and began this year logging a healthy amount of defensive snaps, but be played only on special teams in Weeks 8 and 9 before notching 31 percent of Dallas' defensive snaps in Week 10. He wasn't tagged with an injury designation this week, so his inactive status Monday appears to be a coach's decision. Nick Vigil entered Monday deemed questionable with a foot injury, but he's active and will likely soak up extra snaps in Clark's absence.

Clark recorded a team-high nine tackles including 0.5 sacks in Sunday's loss to the Lions.

With Eric Kendricks (calf) sidelined, it was Clark and not DeMarvion Overshown who stepped up as the Cowboys' leading tackler. Clark had fallen out of the linebacker rotation completely just one week before however, seeing zero defensive snaps and 18 special-teams snaps in a Week 5 win over the Steelers. With Kendricks able to use Dallas' bye to get healthy, Clark may not maintain a fantasy-friendly role in Week 8 against the 49ers.

Clark recorded seven tackles (five solo) in the Cowboys' Week 2 loss to the Saints on Sunday.

After playing just 34 percent of the defensive snaps off the bench in the Week 1 win over the Browns, Clark started and doubled his snap share -- 69 percent -- versus New Orleans. Through two games, Clark has 11 tackles (seven solo) to his name. He's also played 18 snaps on special teams.

Clark (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session, Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Clark had been dealing with a sore left knee since mid-August, but he appears to be good to go for Week 1 against Cleveland on Sunday. The 2022 fifth-round pick took a giant leap during his sophomore campaign, and he finished 2023 with 109 tackles (70 solo), three passes defended and one fumble recovery over 17 regular-season games.

Clark didn't practice Wednesday due to a sore left knee, Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com reports.

The third-year linebacker doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury, but at this stage of camp the Cowboys aren't going to push a defensive starter too hard. Clark stepped up last season with a career-high 109 tackles, and he could take his production higher in 2024 in new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's linebacker-friendly scheme.

Clark recorded a career-high 109 tackles (70 solo) while adding three passes defended and a fumble recovery over 17 regular-season games in 2023.

He added eight more stops in a wild-card loss to the Packers. A fifth-round pick in 2022 due to back surgery that significantly impacted his draft stock, Clark looked 100 percent recovered as he played in every game for the Cowboys and took over an every-down role for most of the year. Leighton Vander Esch still has one season left on his contract, but he played only five games in 2023 and would be an easy cut to save cap space, potentially putting the speedy Clark in a starting role right from Week 1 next season.

Clark recorded a team-high 11 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's loss to the Bills.

The Cowboys' defense spent more time on the field than usual as the offense's road woes continued, and Clark took advantage by producing double-digit tackles for the third time this season. The second-year linebacker needs just six more stops for the first 100-tackle campaign of his career, a mark he could reach in Week 16 against the Dolphins, but his lack of splash plays limits his IDP upside -- Clark has zero sacks or INTs in 24 career NFL games.

Clark recorded 11 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

The second-year linebacker led Dallas in tackles while reaching double digits in a game for the second time this season. Clark has emerged as a reliable IDP asset since Leighton Vander Esch (neck) landed on IR, piling up 25 tackles over the last three games, but he's still looking for his first career NFL sack or interception to add some splash plays to his fantasy floor.

Clark recorded eight tackles (seven solo) in the Cowboys' Week 6 win over the Chargers Monday night.

The linebacker also registered a QB hit on Justin Herbert, his first of the season. Over the last four games, Clark has 33 tackles (22 solo) and leads the team with 39 on the season. He's going to be relied upon even more while Leighton Vander Esch (neck) is on injured reserve.

Clark recorded eight tackles (seven solo) in Monday's win over the Chargers.

With Leighton Vander Esch (neck) sidelined, Clark led the Cowboys in tackles on the night while playing a season-high 60 defensive snaps. Over the last four games, the 2022 fifth-round pick has racked up 33 stops, putting him on the IDP radar in deeper formats. Clark is still looking for his first career INT or sack, however, and the lack of splash plays does limit his fantasy upside.

Clark (shoulder) was estimated as a full participant Saturday and has no injury designation for Sunday's contest against the Chargers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Clark is coming off his highest defensive snap count of the season in Week 5 against the 49ers, when he registered nine tackles in a 42-10 loss. It's unclear when he injured his shoulder, but he was able to get some limited practice in during the week and is trending toward playing Monday against the Chargers. The 2022 fifth-round pick has 31 tackles (17 solo) in five games this season.

Clark (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear when Clark, who played a season-high 45 defensive snaps for Dallas in Week 5, picked up the shoulder injury. He'll get two more chances to practice in full before Monday's game at the Chargers, but with Leighton Vander Esch (neck) expected to go to the injured reserve list soon, the Cowboys now have a precarious situation at linebacker on their hands ahead of Week 6.

Clark recorded nine tackles (five solo) in Sunday's loss to the 49ers.

The second-year linebacker saw a season-high 45 snaps on defense, in part because Leighton Vander Esch (neck) exited the game in the second half after a collision with Micah Parsons. Clark has racked up 25 tackles over the last three games despite averaging just 35 defensive snaps a week, and if Vander Esch is sidelined for a Week 6 tilt against the Chargers, Clark could be poised for a breakout IDP performance.

Clark (shoulder) was listed as active for Sunday night's game against the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Clark was limited for all three of Dallas' practices leading up to this Week 5 contest, but he'll ultimately be available as the team's top middle linebacker. The 2022 fifth-round pick has tallied 22 tackles through the first four games of the season.

Clark (shoulder) is listed on the Cowboys' injury report as questionable to face the 49ers in Week 5, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Clark logged a trio of limited practice sessions this week due to a shoulder issue, putting his status for Sunday's NFC clash in question. If he's unable to pay, Markquese Bell could be asked to step into a larger role.

Clark (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Cowboys' practice Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Clark popped up on the injury report with a shoulder injury following the team's first practice session of the week. The linebacker will have two more days to return to being a full participant prior to Sunday's matchup with the 49ers.

Clark recorded nine tackles (seve solo) in Sunday's 28-16 loss to Arizona.

Clark was able to notch a season-high in tackles, more than doubling his total on the year in the process. The linebacker is now up to 15 takedowns over three games in 2023 after posting 47 in his rookie campaign last season.

Clark looks to be locked into one of the top two linebacker spots on the Cowboys defense alongside Leighton Vander Esch, Patrik Walker of the team's website reports.

A fifth-round pick out of LSU last year, Clark would have gone much higher were it not for a back issue that required spinal fusion surgery that jeopardized his rookie season. Instead, he made an impressive recovery and wound up playing 10 games in 2022, and he set a Next Gen Stats record for a linebacker by reaching a top sprint speed of 22.19 mph in his NFL debut while chasing down the Bears' Justin Fields. Dallas has plenty of linebacking talent however, with 2021 fourth-round pick Jabril Cox and 2023 third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown also fighting for snaps -- not to mention Micah Parsons, who could see less action at defensive end this season. Even in a starting role, Clark may not see the snap volume to make a big IDP impact despite his elite speed.

Clark recorded 47 tackles (29 solo) and two forced fumbles over 10 regular-season games in 2022.

A fifth-round pick in 2022, the LSU star saw his draft stock drop precipitously after an MRI at the combine turned up a herniated disc that required spinal fusion surgery. There was talk Clark might essentially redshirt his first pro campaign, but he made a quick recovery and was able to suit up for the Cowboys by Week 8. The 22-year-old still showed elite speed after his return, and with Leighton Vander Esch and Anthony Barr both free agents this offseason, Clark could move into a starting role in the Dallas defense next season.

Clark recorded nine tackles (five solo) in Sunday's overtime loss to the Jaguars.

The 2022 fifth-round pick saw a season-high 52 defensive snaps after Leighton Vander Esch (shoulder) left in the first quarter and didn't return, and Clark took advantage of the opportunity to lead the Cowboys in tackles. Vander Esch's injury doesn't seem to be as serious as initially feared, but if he's sidelined for a Week 16 contest against the Eagles, Clark would likely move into the starting lineup, and his speed could be an asset as Dallas tries to contain Jalen Hurts.

Clark saw his first action of the season in Sunday's win over the Bears, picking up six tackles and logging a top speed of 22.19 mph while chasing down Justin Fields -- setting a new Next Gen Stats record for a linebacker in the process, the Cowboys' official website reports.

The LSU star fell to the fifth round of the 2022 draft due to a back injury that required spinal fusion surgery, and it was feared he might miss his entire rookie season. Instead of redshirting, however, Clark was ready to go for Week 8, and while he was initially set to see special-teams duties in his first taste of NFL action, an injury to Anthony Barr (hamstring) opened the door for him to get reps on defense as well. The previous NGS record for top speed recorded by a linebacker was held by Micah Parsons, so the Cowboys may now have the fastest LB group in the entire league. Dallas will be on bye in Week 9, giving Clark more time to learn the nuances of coordinator Dan Quinn's scheme, but after his impressive NFL debut he could see a significant role in the second half.

Clark (back) was activated from the reserve/non-football injury list Wednesday.

Clark underwent a spinal fusion surgery in March and has yet to take the field in any capacity. The rookie is now eligible to make his official NFL debut with Dallas.

Clark (back) was designated to return from the reserve/non-football injury list Wednesday, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The designation opens a 21-day window for the rookie to be activated and added to the active roster, something that head coach Mike McCarthy said "everybody is excited about that". Clark underwent a spinal fusion surgery in March and has yet to practice with the team this year after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Cowboys placed Clark (back) on the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday, Rob Phillips of the team's official site reports.

Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery in March and was placed on Dallas' active/NFI list at the opening of training camp as a result. Now, the rookie middle linebacker will become eligible to return after Dallas' fourth regular-season game, though it's unlikely that he will be ready to suit up until the 2023 campaign.

Clark (back) was placed on the active/non-football injury list, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery in March, after an MRI at the NFL combine found a herniated disk. He is not expected to play in 2022.

The Cowboys selected Clark (back) in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 176th overall.

Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery back in late March and is not expected to play in 2022. Prior to the medical problems, the senior was expected to be a possible Day 2 selection after leading the entire SEC in tackles (135). The LSU product was a full-time starter for just one season, but he's a solid and explosive athlete when healthy.