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When the Green Bay Packers take the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, one of the most important players on the roster will be Kenny Clark. Given how the first few practices of this week have transpired, however, the Packers will be counting their blessings if Clark is able to play on Sunday evening.
On Wednesday, Clark missed practice with a back issue. Despite playing all 16 games this year, this was not the first time that Clark had appeared on the injury report this season; however, it was the first time that this back problem kept him from practicing. Clark had been listed as questionable once before this season, back in week seven when he was dealing with a shin issue.
If this injury is significant, however, it could rob the Packers of their best interior defensive lineman and a true force on the inside of the defense. Clark played 869 snaps on defense this year, the most in his career and a number that accounts for 84 percent of the team’s total defensive plays. But not only would a potential absence be a major hole in snap counts; he has also been one of the defense’s most disruptive and productive players, particularly in the second half of the season. Clark finished second among all interior linemen in pass pressures this year, according to Pro Football Focus, and he matched a career high in sacks with six in 2019.
Clark did return to practice on Thursday, initially putting Packers fans at ease. However, in a press conference after practice, head coach Matt LaFleur described his participation in drills as “really limited,” adding that the team “is hopeful he’ll be all right.”
Even if Clark plays, it seems likely that his snap count will need to be cut back a bit. That could open up some more opportunities for reserve linemen like Tyler Lancaster and Montravius Adams, as well as forcing defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to get a bit more creative with how he deploys his playmakers along the defensive front. Keep a close eye on Clark’s injury status on Friday to see if he starts trending in a positive direction as Sunday approaches.
Here is the full injury report for the Packers. This post will update with the Seahawks’ report when it is announced.
Packers Thursday Practice Report
Did Not Participate
- TE Marcedes Lewis (veteran rest)
- DT Tyler Lancaster (illness)
- FB Danny Vitale (knee)
- RB Dexter Williams (illness)
Limited Participation
- DT Kenny Clark (back)
- TE Jimmy Graham (wrist/veteran rest)
- OLB Preston Smith (ankle)
- OL Billy Turner (ankle)
- CB Tramon Williams (veteran rest)
Full Participation
- OT Bryan Bulaga (concussion/veteran rest)
- OLB Rashan Gary (shoulder)
- WR Allen Lazard (ankle)
- C Corey Linsley (back)
- ILB Blake Martinez (hand)
- S Will Redmond (hamstring)
- RB Jamaal Williams (shoulder)
Seahawks Thursday Practice Report
Did Not Participate
- DE Ziggy Ansah (neck)
- OT Duane Brown (knee)
- OT George Fant (groin)
- G Mike Iupati (neck)
Limited Participation
- S Marquise Blair (ankle)
- DE Jadeveon Clowney (core)
- CB Tre Flowers (knee)
- C Joey Hunt (fibula)
- DT Quinton Jefferson (ankle)
Full Participation
- LB Cody Barton (hip)
- WR Jaron Brown (knee)
- OT Jamarco Jones (shoulder)
- WR DK Metcalf (not injury related)
- WR Malik Turner (concussion)
- LB Dekoda Watson (calf)
- DT Jarran Reed (biceps/ankle)