Green Bay Packers make key decision on status of Kenny Clark

The Green Bay Packers just made a significant decision that should provide an instant bolster to their defense vs. the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

According to Dov Kleiman, the Packers activated Clark off the COVID-19 list on Thursday evening.

Clark’s return can’t be overstated.

The Green Bay Packers had a rough go on defense last week against the Baltimore Ravens. But the plan all along was to get their Pro Bowl defensive tackle back and now it’s official.

Clark has been a big part of the Packers’ defensive line since arriving in Green Bay in 2016. He has 38 tackles and four sacks so far this season, including two tackles last week against the Chicago Bears. He also has 54 quarterback pressures this season — third among NFL defensive linemen.

Last week against Baltimore, the Green Bay Packers allowed 30 points for the second straight week. Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, who was filling in for the injured Lamar Jackson, went 28 for 40 for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the air and ran for 73 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Baltimore could’ve won the game on a two-point conversion in the final seconds, but the attempt failed — giving Green Bay its 11th win of the season.

Green Bay Packers hopeful for Kenny Clark’s return

According to the Packers’ official injury report released earlier on Thursday, the team could have Kenny Clark back after the Pro Bowl defensive tackle returned to practice Thursday, but now the decision is official.

Clark, who was selected to his second Pro Bowl on Wednesday, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last Friday and missed Sunday’s 31-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He leads Green Bay’s defensive line with 42 tackles and four sacks this season.

Here’s what Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur had to say about Clark.

“He’s still going through the protocol,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur of Clark after practice. “It was great to have him back in the building. It was great to see him out there at practice. Provided he clears, then he’ll play, but we’ll see where he’s at and making sure that he is, first of all, healthy, because that’s the most important thing and that he feels confident to go out there and play at a high level.”

The Green Bay Packers are now gearing up to face the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at Lambeau Field on Christmas. Kickoff for that game is set for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET