The Dallas Cowboys defense has a Micah Parsons-sized problem, but there are different decisions to be made at the linebacker position.
Specifically, who makes the roster and who gets left behind. And one player who Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport is clearly not super high on is Cowboys linebacker, Damone Clark who he suggests the team should cut ahead of the start of the regular season – for one clear reason.
“Damone Clark isn’t a bad NFL linebacker.” Davenport wrote on Thursday, “Two years ago, after recovering from spinal fusion surgery, he started all 17 games for the Cowboys and posted over 100 total tackles.
But the converted safety is a liability against the run, and with the Cowboys retooling their linebacker corps in the offseason, he finds himself well down the depth chart.”
Dallas Looking At Major Shift From 2024 Linebackers
The team’s two starters from last season, Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, will likely not play a large part in the upcoming season.
Kendricks was not re-signed by the team, whilst Overshown suffered a devastating knee injury in December, tearing his ACL, MCL and PCL. Although his initial prognosis implied he could well miss the entirety of the 2025 season, reports from back in the spring suggest he could return as early as mid-season.
In the meantime, Davenport notes, it will be Jack Sanborn – not Clarke who will be taking Overshown’s role at the center of the defense, with new offseason trade acquisition, Kenneth Murray, and former third round pick, Marist Liufau, taking the other starting spots – so saving money on Clarke’s contract could end up being a clear-cut cap-saving move.
Cowboys Could Be Motivated By Financial Reasons In Cut Decision
“From all indications in training camp, newcomer Jack Sanborn will be Dallas’ “green dot” defensive signal-caller until DeMarvion Overshown returns from injury.” Davenport continued. “He will likely be flanked by fellow free-agent signee Kenneth Murray Jr., with Marist Liufau taking over as the No. 3 linebacker.
Clark did play 284 special teams snaps last season, but for a perennially cap-strapped team like Dallas, $3.5 million is a lot to play a so-so special teamer.
Dallas would save nearly that whole amount by letting Clark go, cash that will pay for at least like 15 snaps from edge-rusher Micah Parsons.”
Clark has a decent track record over the past few seasons in the NFL, starting 24 games over the past three years for the Cowboys. And his play last season was more than capable, attaining a 68.2 grade from Pro Football Focus.
But if Sanborn, formerly of the Chicago Bears, has broken away from Clark, it may make sense to move off him ahead of the new season.
The Cowboys also drafted fifth round pick, Shemar James, this past April, and may look to him to fill the last of the four LB spots – at least until Overshown returns.
