Lions Add Damone Clark to Bolster Linebacker Depth and Special Teams

The Detroit Lions continued to reinforce their roster depth by signing veteran linebacker Damone Clark to a one-year contract on Wednesday. While contract terms were not disclosed, the move reflects Detroit’s ongoing effort to strengthen both its defensive rotation and special teams units heading into the upcoming season.

Clark, 25, enters his fifth NFL season after previous stints with the Dallas Cowboys from 2022 to 2025 and a brief period with the Houston Texans in 2025. His experience across multiple systems gives him a foundation of familiarity that could translate into a depth role in Detroit.

Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU, Clark’s career has included both starting opportunities and rotational duties. Over time, he has developed into a dependable contributor capable of filling multiple roles depending on team needs and defensive schemes.

For the Lions, the signing comes at a time when the linebacker room is undergoing subtle changes. With a mix of returning starters and newly retained players, Detroit is aiming to maintain continuity while ensuring adequate depth across the unit.

1. Career Path and Development

Clark’s NFL journey began with the Cowboys, who selected him with the 176th overall pick in the 2022 draft. His rookie season was delayed due to spinal fusion surgery, a significant hurdle that impacted his early development but did not prevent him from contributing on the field. Despite the setback, Clark appeared in 10 games as a rookie and earned five starts. His ability to return to action after surgery demonstrated resilience and set the stage for increased responsibilities in subsequent seasons. His most productive year came in 2023, when he started all 17 games and recorded 109 tackles along with four tackles for loss. That season accounted for the majority of his starting experience and highlighted his potential as an every-down linebacker. Across his career, Clark has accumulated 190 tackles, six tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 55 games with 26 starts. These numbers reflect a player who has steadily contributed when given opportunities, particularly during his peak usage in Dallas.

2. Role and Recent Usage

Following his strong 2023 campaign, Clark’s role shifted in 2024, when he appeared in 14 games but made only two starts. During that season, he recorded 28 tackles, one tackle for loss, and half a sack, indicating a reduced defensive footprint compared to the year prior. His time with both Dallas and Houston in 2025 included limited defensive snaps but significant involvement on special teams. Over the course of the season, he logged 102 defensive snaps and 269 special teams snaps across 14 games. Special teams have become a consistent part of Clark’s value at the NFL level. His ability to contribute in that phase of the game has allowed him to maintain a roster spot while continuing to develop within defensive systems. In 2025, Clark earned a 78.7 PFF grade on special teams, including 313 total special teams snaps between his time with the Cowboys and Texans. That performance underscores his reliability in coverage units and his willingness to embrace multiple roles.

3. Fit Within Detroit’s Linebacker Group

The Lions enter the new season with a linebacker group anchored by returning starters Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes. Both players are expected to retain prominent roles within the defensive structure, providing stability at the second level. At the same time, Detroit has experienced some roster turnover. The departure of Alex Anzalone in free agency created an opportunity for new and existing players to compete for rotational snaps and depth responsibilities. The Lions have also retained contributors such as Malcolm Rodriguez and Trevor Nowaske, creating a competitive environment within the linebacker room. Clark’s arrival adds another experienced option to that mix. Given his track record, Clark is likely to compete for a role that includes both rotational defensive snaps and a meaningful presence on special teams. His versatility and prior experience position him as a potential replacement for departing special teams contributors while providing additional depth behind the starters.