Sore back could hold Kenny Clark out of Packers’ next preseason game

As they do with all rookies, the Green Bay Packers want to see as much of first-round pick Kenny Clark during the preseason as possible. However, a sore back could keep the defensive lineman on the sideline when the team takes on the San Francisco 49ers this Friday.

Clark, who claims he has never missed a football practice in his life, dropped out of Monday’s session when his back flared up and sat out on Tuesday as a preventative measure.

The rookie told the Green Bay Press Gazette that he doesn’t consider the injury serious, though with Mike Pennel already set to miss the first four games of the season and Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion the only remaining defensive lineman to have taken a regular-season snap with the Packers, the team understandably wants to take a cautious approach with Clark.

If Clark cannot suit up for Green Bay, most of his snaps would likely go to Christian Ringo, Tyler Kuder and Brian Price. All three have competed for a backup role with the Packers during training camp.