FRISCO, Texas — The explosive trade that sent Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers struck the planet with only six days remaining before the regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, giving defensive tackle Kenny Clark — also acquired in the exchange — less than a week to get ready for a headline matchup under primetime lights.
Despite that being true, it's also a fact that Clark is fully healthy, has been practicing with the Packers the entire summer, is in football shape and has some familiarity with Matt Eberflus' defensive style, including from their time as rivals in the NFC North.
It all points to Clark taking the field on Sept. 4.
"He's been playing in similar systems and has had some exposure to [Matt] Eberflus' system," said head coach Brian Schottenheimer. "He's a pro, and he'll have no problem getting up to speed. So you should expect to see him out there."
His pre-existing bond with fellow defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, the two having a personal relationship stemming from their UCLA ties and the fact Clark played alongside Odighizuwa's older brother, Owa, for the Bruins, could play well towards the swiftness in which they establish chemistry on the field together in Dallas.
Better still is the fact that, just last season, Clark was part of a Packers' unit that played the Eagles on two separate occasions, bookending Green Bay's season; and while the defense as a whole had trouble containing Saquon Barkley, what Clark put on tape with his individual work was extremely pleasing to the eye.
"We played a little bit of an attacking scheme last year," Clark said. "I'm pretty much caught up on it a little bit — a lot of the same principles, and stuff like that. Once I'm done with this [interview], I'm going to the meeting rooms and get with the coaches and try to learn the playbook as fast as possible, so I can hit the ground running against the Eagles."
He also spoke to what type of shape he's in, confirming the aforementioned state of health, and how he'll be ready for however many reps Eberflus and the Cowboys demand of him at Lincoln Financial Field.
It's exactly what the Cowboys need, and for a lot of very glaring and obvious reasons, the primary running a bit deeper than simply seeing Clark tied to one of the most jaw-dropping trade decisions in NFL history, but also because he joins a defense that, in previous years, has struggled mightily against the run, and whose season begins by trying to stop Saquon Barkley and the defending champion Eagles.
Barkley rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 125 yards per game with 18 total touchdowns, so to say he'll be a handful is akin to saying the moon is somehow right down the street.
"I'm in shape," Clark said. "I've been practicing in Green Bay [and] training camp. I ain't missing no time. So whether it's 30 plays, 50 plays, 20 plays, whatever it is, I'm going to be able to play."
