The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is staring down a seismic shift at linebacker, with a roster shake-up that could see a once-reliable starter relegated to the chopping block. At the heart of this transformation is a tough call on Damone Clark, a player who went from a 17-game ironman to a potential cap casualty, as the team prioritizes new faces and financial flexibility.
Just two years ago, Damone Clark was a beacon of resilience. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery, the former safety-turned-linebacker defied the odds, starting all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2023 and racking up over 100 total tackles. His relentless effort and athleticism made him a key piece of Dallas’ defensive puzzle. But according to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, Clark’s Achilles’ heel—his struggles against the run—has pushed him down the depth chart.
“Damone Clark isn’t a bad NFL linebacker,” Davenport wrote on Thursday. “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.”
As the Cowboys reshape their linebacker unit for 2025, Clark’s role has dwindled, overshadowed by a wave of newcomers and a returning star. His $3.5 million contract, once a reasonable price for a starter, now feels like a luxury Dallas can’t afford for a player relegated to special teams.
The Cowboys’ linebacker corps is undergoing a dramatic overhaul. Last season’s starters, Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, are no longer locks for significant roles. Kendricks, a veteran presence, wasn’t re-signed, leaving a void in leadership. Overshown, meanwhile, suffered a catastrophic knee injury in December 2024, tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL. While early reports suggested he might miss the entire 2025 season, recent updates hint at a potential mid-season return—a glimmer of hope for Cowboys fans.
In their absence, Dallas has turned to fresh talent to anchor the defense. Jack Sanborn, acquired from the Chicago Bears, has emerged as the frontrunner to wear the “green dot” as the defensive signal-caller until Overshown’s return. Flanking him will likely be Kenneth Murray Jr., a high-profile offseason trade acquisition, and Marist Liufau, a third-round pick with breakout potential. This trio represents the Cowboys’ new vision for the linebacker position—versatile, aggressive, and cost-effective.
Adding to the mix is Shemar James, a fifth-round draft pick from April 2025, who could claim the fourth linebacker spot as a developmental prospect. With this influx of talent, Clark’s once-secure role has become expendable.
For a team perpetually strapped for cap space, the decision to cut Clark isn’t just about performance—it’s about dollars and cents. His $3.5 million cap hit is a hefty price for a player who logged 284 special teams snaps last season but may not crack the starting lineup in 2025. Releasing Clark would free up nearly that entire amount, providing Dallas with the flexibility to invest in other areas—like securing more snaps for their defensive superstar, Micah Parsons.
“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 pay for a so-so special teamer,” Davenport noted. “That cash will pay for at least 15 snaps from edge-rusher Micah Parsons.”
Clark’s track record is respectable—24 starts over three seasons and a solid 68.2 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024—but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. With Sanborn seizing the spotlight and younger, cheaper options like James waiting in the wings, Clark’s days in Dallas may be numbered.
The Cowboys’ linebacker room is a microcosm of the NFL’s ruthless nature: one season’s hero can become the next season’s casualty. Clark’s journey from overcoming major surgery to starting every game in 2023 is a testament to his grit, but it may not be enough to secure his spot on a roster prioritizing fresh talent and financial maneuvering.