A Tough Year for Green Bay's Kenny Clark Unveiled: A Foot Injury Changed His 2024 Season
NFL Defensive Lineman Kenny Clark Aiming for Redemption in 2022 with Green Bay Packers after Injury-Plagued Year
In the heat of the 2024 NFL season, questions swirled about Green Bay Packers' defensive tackle Kenny Clark's potential declining performance. After a disappointing season, an unexpected revelation emerged - Clark had been playing with a right foot injury that slowed him considerably throughout the season and required surgical repair afterwards.
"It was tough," Clark admitted openly. "It was a tough year for me."
The injury occurred during the Packers' Week 1 loss to Philadelphia, in a game played in Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil. After the game, Clark was outspoken about the poor field conditions, likening the turf to "trash." As he struggled through the rest of the season, the foot injury turned out to be worse than initially suspected, resembling a "bunion, bone spurs."
The consequences were significant. Clark's tackle count dropped to a six-year low, with only 37 tackles – a number not seen since his rookie season in 2016. His production in sacks and quarterback hits followed suit, reaching levels last seen back in 2016.
"You're taking every step and the toe is busting," Clark explained, giving an insight into the difficulty of playing with the injury. Despite the challenges, he remained determined, stating, "That's done. I got the surgery done, and yeah, we're moving forward."
If Clark can recover and regain his peak form, the Packers' inconsistent defensive line might see a boost in 2025. In his career-high season of 2023, Clark recorded 7.5 sacks, ranked third on the team, led the team with nine tackles for loss, and logged 16 quarterback hits. Green Bay's pass defense was 0.51 yards better per play with Clark on the field, while the run defense improved by 0.18 yards per play.
Clark made the Pro Bowl three times, joining Henry Jordan as the only Packers defensive tackles with three or more Pro Bowl appearances. The Packers showed their faith in Clark by signing him to a three-year, $64 million extension in July 2024, expressing their desire for him to lead the team moving forward[1].
Now, with the hope of better health on the horizon, Clark and the Packers are anticipating a rebound in his performance for the 2025 season.
"Yeah, I'm excited. I'm so excited to play ball," Clark declared, expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming season. "Like I said, it's going to be a huge year, I'm excited about it."
Source:
[1] Rainford, J. (2024, November 18). Kenny Clark Gives Green Bay Packers Greatest Chance of Super Bowl Success Since the 2010 Season. The Spun. Retrieved from www.thespun.com/nfl/packers/kenny-clark
[2] Smith, J. (2025, January 15). Kenny Clark Requires Offseason Surgery on Right Foot. Packers Wire. Retrieved from www.packerswire.usatoday.com/packerswire/2025/01/15/kenny-clark-needs-offseason-surgery-on-right-foot/
[3] Watson, S. (2024, May 16). Kenny Clark's Injury History Lingers as He Heads into Offseason. PackersNews. Retrieved from www.jsonline.com/packers/kenny-clarks-injury-history-lingers-as-he-heads-into-offseason-b96264355z1-165576712z1/
- Green Bay Packers' general manager Brian Gutekunst, a believer in the science of sports performance, may utilize the offseason to implement fitness-and-exercise regimens for injured players like Kenny Clark to aid their recovery and preparation for the 2025 NFL season.
- Clark's health-and-wellness issues could extend beyond football, as the foot injury he sustained in 2024 was similar to a condition common in older adults – a bunion or bone spurs.
- Clark's difficulty in playing with his foot injury could have consequences beyond the NFL, as sports-related injuries can impact an athlete's overall fitness and well-being, which is crucial for long-term health.
- The Green Bay Packers dominated the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 American football game, but the outcome might have been different if the Eagles had the services of star player Brian Gutekunst, a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for a team in the Brazilian league, instead of Kenny Clark, who was recovering from surgery on his right foot.
