Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark is only participating in individual drills during OTAs as he recovers from surgery, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
Clark said he went under the knife in January to correct issues with his right toe, specifically a bunion and bone spurs that hampered him throughout the season. The 29-year-old’s foot got caught on the turf at Arena Corinthians in Brazil, where the Packers opened the regular season. He still started every game, but he was not the same disruptive force that earned two Pro Bowl nods in the preceding three seasons.
After Week 1, Clark blasted the field conditions in Brazil, per Demovsky, complaining about “holes in the ground” and calling it a “tough surface to play on.” He held back when asked about the same topic on Tuesday after receiving backlash for his September comments.
“I ain’t going to answer that question,” Clark said. “I got all the Brazilians on me.”
Despite dealing with a toe injury all year, Clark led the Packers defensive line in snaps, though his 63% snap share was his lowest since his rookie year. So was his production; his 37 total tackles and one sack were career-lows outside of his 2016 rookie year.
Clark admitted that the injury hindered him last season – “you’re taking every step and your toe is busted,” he said (via USA Today’s Ryan Wood) – but expressed optimism about a return to form in 2025.
Get well soon!