Injury Explains Kenny Clark’s Difficult 2024, Can He Bounce Back Entering Year 10?
Clark's 2024 struggles are easily explained by a year-long battle with a foot injury, but can he still be a true impact player as he approaches age 30?
By markoldacres
It is rarely good news to discover a key player dealt with an injury serious enough to require surgery, but when Kenny Clark told the Green Bay media he had a procedure on his foot to deal with a bunion and bone spurs, an injury he picked up in week one of 2024, it was frankly a relief.
Clark signed a three-year, $64m extension last July, receiving the coveted and elusive third contract which is seldom handed out by the Packers, and promptly endured the worst season of his NFL career.
There is a reason Green Bay is reluctant to give third contracts. There is a higher risk of the deal aging poorly due to the player being older and potentially close to their decline. It seemed they may have made a mistake in paying Clark for a second time after the year he had.
He had only 34 quarterback pressures in 2024, producing his lowest pressure rate since the 2020 season. Clark had just one sack, having racked up ten the previous year, while his number of run stops, 21, was down from 25 in 2023.
Clark’s overall PFF grade for the season of 60, which is exactly average, is not what the Packers would have expected from their star defensive lineman who is paid near the top of the market.
However, the foot injury he fought through all season long, while not missing a game and playing an average of 63% of the defensive snaps, offers a justifiable explanation which should ease concerns his play had fallen off a cliff.
It speaks to the type of character and competitor Clark is that he gutted through the injury for the entire year after suffering it in Brazil against the Eagles, and never mentioned to the media how much it was hampering him.
He is not the type to make excuses, and probably did not want opponents to know the extent of his foot issue, but speaking to the media last week, Clark confirmed the injury was a real obstacle for him.
Clark said: “It was a tough year for me”, and admitted the injury impacted him “a lot”.
After having surgery in January, Clark is now back practicing with the team and appears to be full steam ahead for the 2025 season.
Entering his tenth year in the league, Clark does not turn 30 years old until October. He came into the NFL as a 20-year-old. Being unusually young for a third contract player likely gave Green Bay confidence in extending his stay, as he was still only 28 when he signed the deal.
He should have plenty left in the tank, although it is worth mentioning even without the injury, Clark has not quite been the same player in recent years.
PFF grades are not gospel, but Clark has not been trending in the right direction for quite some time.
After peaking with a 90.2 grade in 2018, his third season, Clark’s overall grade declined each year to 79.5 in 2019, 76.1 in 2020, 75.4 in 2021 and 66.4 in 2022, before rebounding to a 70.4 grade in 2023.
He has not ranked above 32nd compared to other NFL defensive linemen since 2021. Clark has averaged 25 run stops per season in the last five years compared to 38.67 in the previous three campaigns.
Clark has played a lot of football and the Packers have not done a great job of providing sufficient depth so that he can get a breather every now and again. This is likely to add up over time resulting in a lower quality of play and a greater risk of injuries.
If he is healthy, Clark is at absolute worst an above average defensive tackle. Whether he can avoid injury in 2025 and return to the level of performance he showed as a younger player will go a long way to deciding the ceiling for Green Bay’s defensive line, and defense as a whole.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (31)
T7Steve
June 09, 2025 at 06:29 am
He'll be fine this season. The Packers will be sure to get their money's worth.
Even last season the opposing team always had to account for where he was and make adjustments.
Because he started out so young, he's played allot of football, but when you compare his age to all the other dominant defensive line and edge players across the league, he's still in his prime years.
What I liked best about him throughout his career, he always seemed to come on strongest towards the end of seasons.
Guam
June 09, 2025 at 06:51 am
"The Packers will be sure to get their money's worth."
I wish I was as confident as you are T7Steve. A Kenny Clark playing up to the level of his contract would be a dominant force in the middle of the Packer D-line. Unfortunately he hasn't been a dominating tackle for several years as the author noted. Clark has been good (other than last year), but he is being paid to be great.
I'm not sure that at age 30 Clark is suddenly going to go from good to dominating. I think the Packers have a problem of their own making (inflated third contract) to solve in 2026. Do you keep a player that is good but significantly overpaid or cut him in favor of paying a younger, ascending player. Tough question.......
T7Steve
June 09, 2025 at 07:25 am
I think he is a dominating player. This 4-man front should even make him look better as they put better guys next to him. It's too bad last season was a waste due to injury. That will be the only way the Packers don't come out on top. If he starts to collect more seasons like that one. They backload contracts so they can rework them when it's time.
Overpaid is in the eye of the beholder but getting that contract done early will save money in the long run. Look at what people here were willing to fork out if they'd have traded for Hendrickson.
NickPerry
June 09, 2025 at 07:14 am
Hopefully Clark rebounds nicely and has a productive season. I think if he's healthy he will. I'm excited to see Clark and Devonte Wyatt both working inside TOGETHER, especially in week one with the Lions without their Pro Bowl/All Pro Center Frank Ragnow.
Not only to I think Clark rebounds nicely, but I think Wyatt takes a HUGE step forward. Year 2 in Hafley's system along with the Packers FINALLY having a decent D-Line coach will do wonders for that line.
GregC
June 09, 2025 at 07:16 am
Clark did not have 10 sacks in 2023, he had 7.5.
I was expecting him to have a big year in 2024, with T.J. Slaton playing more at nose tackle, freeing Clark up to be more of a playmaker. It didn't work out that way. It was good to hear that there is a plausible explanation for the drop in production. I hope this is not a recurring injury.
At least he was solid last year and was part of a very good run defense. But he was not dynamic.
From what I've heard, he may be moving back to nose tackle with Slaton gone, but maybe he won't have to if Nazir Stackhouse or Warren Brinson can play nose. I heard they put Colby Wooden at nose tackle in the OTAs, but that seems unlikely to be a real thing. Wooden was listed at 273 pounds when he entered the league a couple years ago, and that's still the weight he is listed at, though it is obviously wrong. He bulked up to around 290 before last season. That's still small for an NFL nose tackle, though.
At any rate, it matters less what position Kenny Clark plays than that he is back to full health.
T7Steve
June 09, 2025 at 07:31 am
Can you explain to me why people keep calling out a "nose" on a four-man line? Two tackles and two ends. Do they line up with three or five sometimes or offset them? I thought I understood these defenses, but I guess there's more to learn even when I'm close to my 70s.
GregC
June 09, 2025 at 08:16 am
This is a great question. Too bad I'm busy this morning, so I can't really dig I to it. I know that nose tackle has always been a position on a 4-3 defensive line, e.g., Gilbert Brown was the nose tackle on the Packers defense in the late 90s, and Santana Dotson was the other DT, who is often called the "three-technique," for reasons I have never understood even when I've looked it up!
But in a four-man front, you always want one big and powerful guy as your anchor, who often takes on double-team blocks, while the other one doesn't have to be quite as powerful and can be a more agile guy who is more of a playmaker and pass rusher.
I guess if you had two big guys, you couldn't get much pass rush, and if you had two smaller guys they would get pushed back too much on running plays.
Oppy
June 09, 2025 at 06:07 pm
...RT... RG... C ... LG ... LT
5..4..3..2..1..0..1..2 ..3..4..5
Hope that helps, Greg.
0, 2, 4 alignments player directly infront of the corresponding offensive lineman- zero 'covers' the Center, 4 'covers' the tackle, etc.
1,3,5 alignments play the gaps. You will often here "3 tech shading the guard", etc, which would mean the DT is lining up inbetween the tackle and guard, but favoring the guard (playing close the guard's outside shoulder.)
the above is a base 40,000 ft view for you.. true 3-4 NT is generally playing 0 tech, covering the center, and is the most demanding and challenging position on the line- because it's their #1 priority to not only handle the center AND one of the guards (commanding a double team to free up his teammates to make plays), but he's also responsible for plugging BOTH "A" gaps - either side of center. Sidenote, Ryan Pickett was a fantastic NT in the truest definition of the position. Wildly underappreciated. He was a BEAST.
*of course the post doesn't honor empty space and I had to edit to use periods to try and keep the spacing lol
Coldworld
June 09, 2025 at 08:53 am
The 4-3 defense in a traditional “Under front” uses two 5 technique defensive ends, a 1 technique nose T and a 3 technique defensive tackle. There have been other variations on NT, such as the Steel curtain’s tilted NT (typically shorter and faster), but the 1 technique is the most common and enduring.
The 1 technique is the typically biggest lineman of the 4. He is responsible for the strong A gap, usually taking on a double team. As such the position is often termed NT or, perhaps technically more correctly, Nose Guard.
The 3 technique is bigger than the 5 techniques (DEs), but more athletic and usually a little smaller than the 1 technique. The 3 technique is widely regarded as the most important player in the 4-3. That is what Clark primarily was last year. Remember he slimmed down notably a few seasons ago.
Brinson looks to be a 3T prospect primarily. That’s what he was in college anyway, lining up next to the bigger, stronger but less athletic Stackhouse who played as a classic block eating NT example. If you watch film, you can see the different roles quite clearly in what they are doing at the snap. Slaton was the 1 technique in our base to Clark’s 3T, by way of examples.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2025 at 09:44 am
I think maybe you're thinking of the traditional 0 tech NT who is asked to line up head up on the center and control both A gaps. In a 4-3 the inside DTs are very rarely asked to do that, they are asked to shade the center to one side or the other(1tech) or at times even line up on the guards inside shoulder(2i). They're both considered NTs but the responsibilities are different. The 1T is often asked to cross the centers face and control the opposite gap but in that case is not asked to control the gap he vacated.
LambeauPlain
June 09, 2025 at 10:41 am
That's what I view the NT role as too. It's a carryover term from 3-4 to 4-3. Many still refer to 4-3 DEs as Edge players too.
Oppy
June 09, 2025 at 06:15 pm
Hybrid defensive fronts and asking players at certain positions to take on responsibility not traditionally associated with their roles has led to an awful lot of blurring of the lines over the last 20-30 years.
Oppy
June 09, 2025 at 07:28 am
Shefter and Rappaport both reporting the Packers will be releasing Jaire Alexander today or tomorrow.
Yikes.
Coldworld
June 09, 2025 at 08:39 am
Genius or crass stupidity? By the New Year we should know. The fact remains that, when healthy he was one of our best players. If he stays relatively healthy and becomes that for another team, then the cap savings will pale into insignificance.
The positive slant on this is that it may be the opportunity our one other plus coverage corner needs. Valentine has been far better in coverage than Nixon or Hobbs. If this means the Packers put their faith in him on the perimeter (and he can improve his tackling) then that could be a win we would not otherwise have had. If we just run with Hobbs and Nixon outside then I think we’d better have a frighteningly good pass rush and one that can get to the QB fast.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2025 at 09:35 am
PFF had him 9th on their list of top 32 CBs. Hopefully he doesn't stay in the NFC North.
Oppy
June 09, 2025 at 05:57 pm
I imagine the Packers wanted him to sign a contract that only paid him what his current salary pays him.. contingent on his being on the field for a certain number of snaps per game, or on a per game basis, etc and so forth.
At the end of the day, it's a business, and I'm assuming Jaire/Jaire's representation and the Packers weren't going to see eye to eye.
Devastating loss, IMO. Jaire tilts the field when he's on the field.
I get the lack of play time, I understand why the Packers would want to restructure, and understand why a player might not agree to it.. but at the end of the day, Packers secondary is weaker without Jaire on the roster.
TruePackerBacker
June 09, 2025 at 08:10 am
We are releasing our best DB while also not having a good pass rush.... For the past 3 years now, our GM and Coach are basing performance on hope. Hoping players take a jump.... We dont have a single player with 10+sacks, a single player with 1k receiving yards.. This football team is so stuck on being average over being great. I dont understand why...
TruePackerBacker
June 09, 2025 at 08:31 am
An example of what i am saying is literally seeing rumors of Packers wanting to trade for Bateman this offseason. I am guessing this is most likely before the draft.. Packers once again would be HOPING Bateman becomes something else he has shown in the NFL. Why dont we just accept players for who they are and what they have produced????? Our problem is we have so LITTLE Established players and are banking on HOPE! WE HOPE LVN takes the Next JUMP at Edge OR ELSE, we will be short once again in that area. WE HOPE 1 WR will be able to take the next jump and give us 1k+ yards. WE HOPE 1 of these CB will be able to take a JUMP and now cover for Jaire. As i've been saying since last year. Our best player on defense and offense came from 2 different teams. THAT SAYS A LOT!!!
GregC
June 09, 2025 at 09:32 am
An article about Kenny Clark is maybe not the best place to complain about the Packers relying too much on "hope." Clark's third contract is an example of the Packers investing money in a known commodity rather than rolling the dice on a replacement.
As for Alexander, I would say that if they had allowed him to play out his contract for at least another year, as he wanted, they would've been hoping that he would stay healthy for most of the season, which he seldom has done.
TruePackerBacker
June 09, 2025 at 09:59 am
I wasnt complaining... I was stating facts Gregory.
GregC
June 09, 2025 at 01:05 pm
Lots of all caps and extra punctuation, yes, clearly a fact-based post.
The alternative to what you call "hope" is to sign players who have been successful and who are guaranteed to continue to be successful. This is impossible due to the salary cap. If you think the Packers have bad players, you are entitled to your opinion. I would not attribute that to a flawed strategy though, even if I agreed with your assessment. It would just mean that they picked the wrong players. Every NFL team relies on hope, to a large extent.
LambeauPlain
June 09, 2025 at 10:48 am
One of the youngest defenses in the NFL was the 5th ranked Defense in yds/game.
If that is your definition of "average", I truly look forward to your description of "great".
Every team starts the season with HOPE: To wish for a particular event that one considers possible. To have confidence and trust in your team.
dblbogey
June 09, 2025 at 02:26 pm
"Stuck on being average" ? The Green Bay Packers were 314-182-2 between the 1992 and 2022 seasons. Some fans are unrealistic.
BuckyBadger
June 09, 2025 at 08:16 am
Clark's best days are obliviously behind him. He is young for getting that 3rd contract but his body has had a lot wear on it making injuries more likely the longer you play in this league. When it comes to signing a player to that 3rd contract I think teams should only do it in rare occasions. I know it isn't a popular opinion but many times it is better to cut the player loose at that point in their career. Unless they are a generational talent the team usually ends up greatly over paying and the contract becomes an issue. His contract next year will have to be reworked or he will have to be let go. One of the main reasons the Pats staid competitive all those years was they didn't sign players to these deals letting them walk. Many times the talking heads said they where wrong to let Ty Law go or trading Chandler Jones was the wrong move but they kept on winning. Both those guys had good years after leaving but the Pats won titles by not putting all their cap dollars in the same basket.
Coldworld
June 09, 2025 at 08:30 am
I’m hopeful Kenny will be better, but how much better is less clear. Next year his cap hit is over 31 million, so something is going to have to give unless he is truly stellar. Time and cap are again converging here. He has an 11 million roster bonus due on the 3rd day of the 2026 league year.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2025 at 09:29 am
My concern is having to reach for a lesser player next year if they let him go instead of taking one a year early. Brinson was good at both run and pass at times in college but to assume he'll ever be more than a decent backup is foolish.
Gutey had multiple opportunities to draft a bigger DT with pass rush upside, not making that choice a year early could come back to bite him. A lot can change in a year but right now it looks pretty thin for bigger DTs in next year's draft.
NFLfan
June 09, 2025 at 09:43 am
I'm not as sanguine about Kenny. He should have taken responsibilty to have the long-standing bunion and bone spurs removed one year ago. He compromised the team all year with a bad foot. I shake my head re: all 3 of these over-paid, under-performing vets---Gary, Clark and Alexander. They should have been leaders, play-makers.
splitpea1
June 09, 2025 at 10:16 am
Well, at least he deserves credit for playing through the injury. He's only missed a handful of games during his nine-year career, and there's something to be said for that.
Even if Clark rebounds, we're still going to need a long-term replacement. Too bad we missed the boat on the strong DT class last draft, which don't come around that often. I can't complain about us grabbing a receiver in the first round, though. But if we didn't have such a deficient pass rush or partially need to restock the WR room, we might have been able to grab a DT earlier.
Alberta_Packer
June 09, 2025 at 02:01 pm
Does Clark's foot injury completely explain his difficult year? Should not the overall decline of an aging player be more strongly considered? If so, then the foot injury may not have been as limiting as presented. Regardless , Clark gets another kick at the can this year with his farriered foot . Even then - I am lowering my expectation that I'll see the Clark of old - as he continues to go 1 v. 1 with Father Time.
LambeauPlain
June 09, 2025 at 02:50 pm
Clark has been a very good DT and a great leader and teammate.
So who did he "team" with on the Packers DL since he earned a starting role in 2017?
During his 3-4 tenure on the DL: Daniels, Lowry, Lancaster, Keke, Reed, Slaton, Wyatt. And last year with the 4-3, Gary, Smith...replaced by Van Ness. I'd argue Reed was the best DT talent alongside Kenny with Daniels and Slaton complementary. And of course Gary last year.
This year Wyatt is counted on to fill a big role with Kenny...and Cox Jr. and Gary will flank them. Sorrell, Van Ness will be in the mix.
I see a solid rebound year for him when healthy. He's just so strong, quick and balanced in the trench battles.
4thand10
June 15, 2025 at 11:01 am
Makes sense, plus is this his 3rd defensive coordinator on top of it? If the injury is behind him he’ll command a double team. I don’t question Clark’s level of play too often, but last year i had no idea he was injured. Clark’s typically a good player. One thing is that I never looked at him specifically as a weakness along the front, but I questioned the rest of the line and formations in previous years as they never did Clark any favors. Now that they’re drafting big uglys again I’m optimistic….but they should have been drafting DL in higher rounds at least 2-4 yrs ago.