Cowboys LB Damone Clark: 'Huge' in Coach Dan Quinn Defense?

Second year linebacker Damone Clark could be thrust into a starting role alongside Leighton Vander Esch, but is he ready to grab this opportunity with both hands?

Regarding feel-good stories of last season, it was hard to look past Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark. The former LSU standout was coming off spinal fusion surgery in March and, a mere seven months later, in October, was taking meaningful snaps in an NFL game.

In his debut against the Chicago Bears, Clark showed flashes of his talent as he filled in for the injured Anthony Barr. Clark registered five tackles in what was an assured performance.

Now, at OTA's wrap-up and minicamp and training camp on the horizon, could Clark be readying himself to partner Leighton Vander Esch in Dan Quinn's unit next season? It sure looks like it.

Clark has been seen soaking up all the knowledge from the "Wolf Hunter" and is sticking to the side of his fellow linebacker in readiness for what could be an improved year.

After head coach Mike McCarthy listed defensive end Sam Williams and receiver Jalen Tolbert as ones to have the "second-year leap," is it possible "Big Mike"  forget about Clark?

With Barr and Luke Gifford no longer on the roster and Jabril Cox an unknown quantity despite looking a better version of himself post his injury but still a ways back, it appears that Clark has the inside lane for the spot next to Vander Esch.

Of course, there is still a lot to play out throughout the offseason, but already, Clark has put his best foot forward, and Vander Esch has already noticed.

"I think this is going to be huge for Damone," Vander Esch said. "We've been training pretty much the whole offseason. Strength-wise, intelligence-wise, he's just going to get that much better and settle into his shoes and really make a name for himself."

With Micah Parsons moving more toward being a "pass-rushing linebacker," Clark could see his snap count increase dramatically, and with the help of Vander Esch, he looks to be making good strides this offseason.

But while this is good for the soul, Clark still has to show throughout this week's minicamp and then training camp that he is "the guy" to partner Vander Esch, but as of now, it seems like a formality that the fifth-round pick in the 2022 Draft could potentially become an NFL starter.

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