How the Cowboys' calculated risk can set the defense up for future success
DALLAS – Damone Clark was one of the most talented linebackers in the 2022 NFL draft. Unfortunately for the former First-Team SEC All-American, he had spinal fusion surgery in March, and there's a good chance he won't play this season. Despite this big-time setback, the Cowboys saw Clark still sitting on the board in the […]
DALLAS – Damone Clark was one of the most talented linebackers in the 2022 NFL draft. Unfortunately for the former First-Team SEC All-American, he had spinal fusion surgery in March, and there's a good chance he won't play this season.
Despite this big-time setback, the Cowboys saw Clark still sitting on the board in the fifth round and took him with the 176th overall pick. Now, the strenuous road to recovery is underway for Clark as he looks for his chance to show he can be a big-time player, which is all he's been waiting for.
"All I needed was the opportunity," Clark said. "The opportunity presented itself, so I'm just grateful."
The Cowboys have a history of taking chances on players that have injury concerns coming out of college. Former Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith is probably the one people remember the most as he suffered a devastating knee injury in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.
Dallas always does a ton of due diligence when it comes to these situations before bringing guys in. The recovery time to fully heal from spinal fusion surgery is six months to a year. However, Cowboys' executive vice president Stephen Jones relayed that Clark will be at minimum a PUP guy to start the season and that he'll be ahead of schedule recovery-wise.
When asked if Clark had a shot to play in 2022, Jones said was short and sweet with his response. "Absolutely"
Clark was seen as a second-round talent before his procedure, and it's not hard to figure out why. He led LSU in tackles with 63 in 2020. Last season, Clark was a dominant force by leading the SEC with 135 tackles (15.5 tackles for loss) and 5.5 sacks.
The injury Clark suffered is why he fell to the fifth round, much to the Cowboys' delight. Clark realizes that none of that matters at this point. Instead, it's about getting back on the gridiron and showing what he can do.
“Everything happens for a reason,” said Clark. “Everybody knows I had to have surgery, ain’t no secret. But at the end of the day, no matter if you went first round, fifth round or not you still got to go out there and play football.”
Clark is a physical hard-hitting linebacker with sideline to sideline range and athleticism. Pairing him with 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons and a fully recovered Jabril Cox (who tore his ACL as a rookie last season), the Cowboys have a bright future on the second level of their defense.
It's a risk, but it's a calculated one and well worth taking. With Parsons and Clark operating on the second level of the defense, Dan Quinn's unit will be set for the foreseeable future.
Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
