Frank Clark hasn’t seen the field since Week 1, and the Broncos defensive end explained his absence today. While Clark had been listed on the injury report with a hip injury, the veteran revealed that he actually suffered a partial tear of his abductor, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
Clark suffered the injury during a September 13 practice, and he admitted that the subsequent MRI results were shocking and “worse than we thought.” Clark also noted that while he generally “play[s] through everything,” he was ultimately sidelined by a Grade 3 tear.
Fortunately, it sounds like the 30-year-old is on the mend and is aiming to make his return next Sunday against the Jets.
“That’s my goal,” Clark said (via Tomasson). “I wanted to be back sometime this week. But you know how it is (with) injuries.. Next week it’s looking like I’ll be back on the field having fun again.”
Clark earned Pro Bowl nods during each of his first three seasons in Kansas City, but that streak came to an end in 2022. The veteran finished the campaign with 39 tackles and five sacks, and he was cut by the Chiefs back in March. The former second-round pick won a pair of Super Bowls during his time in Kansas City, including the 2022 run where he added another 2.5 sacks in three games.
Clark caught on with the Broncos back in June and was expected to provide some veteran depth on the edge. During Week 1, Clark served as a backup to Randy Gregory and Jonathon Cooper, with the free agent acquisition appearing in 25 defensive snaps.