The emergence of DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau has impacted Damone Clark immensely.
The Dallas Cowboys needed to address the linebacker position this offseason, and they did so in multiple ways. First, they brought in veteran Eric Kendricks, who played for defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in Minnesota. In the NFL draft, the Cowboys took Marist Liufau out of Notre Dame in the third round, giving them much needed size after Markquese Bell, a natural safety, played a ton at the linebacker spot under Dan Quinn last season.
During the first four games, it’s clear that Kendricks is the top dog and the leader of the room, as to be expected. DeMarvion Overshown has shown that he doesn’t need to be taken off the field like he was in Week 2 when he only played 18 snaps. His athleticism, speed, and awareness just can’t be denied. Liufau makes mistakes as do all rookies, but he makes them going full speed, which is what you want to see and has earned him playing time. All of this has directly impacted one player, Damone Clark.
Clark has been with the Cowboys since 2022 when he was taken in the fifth round after having spinal fusion surgery before the draft. He got on the field sooner than expected, and he flashed some of the potential that had him as an early Day 2 pick before his operation at weakside linebacker. Although he started all 17 games a season ago, Clark had to play the middle linebacker role with the newly retired Leighton Vander Esch on the shelf, and it was clear how out of position he was. This season, Clark was looked at to have more of an opportunity to get back to his natural spot, but Overshown and Liufau have simply earned the trust of Zimmer more at this point.
After 26 snaps in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, Clark logged 41 versus the New Orleans Saints with Overshown seeing limited action. However, there’s been a significant drop-off in Clark’s snaps the last two games with 17 snaps total and just five against the New York Giants last Thursday. Zimmer mentioned that the Cowboys would rotate linebackers this year. At this point, it appears that it will be Kendricks, Overshown, and Liufau with Clark sprinkled in.
Having Clark as a fourth option at linebacker is a good problem to have. If he wants to get back on the field more, however, he’s going to have to seriously ball out when he gets his chances or take advantage of an unfortunate injury if it happens.
