Dallas Cowboys explain surprising move to cut former starting linebacker
The Dallas Cowboys waived linebacker Damone Clark, a 2022 fifth-round draft pick out of LSU who played in 49 games for the franchise, on Tuesday afternoon.
Clark began the season as a starter, playing 42 defensive snaps in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he has since been a healthy scratch in two games, including the Cowboys’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night.
After the team acquired veteran Logan Wilson at the trade deadline and got DeMarvion Overshown back from injury on Monday, the Cowboys had a surplus at linebacker that required them to move on from someone to make room at another position. Clark ended up being that roster casualty.
“I want to really emphasize how much Damone means to me,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “What an incredible young man he is. My conversation with Damone, I said, ‘Hey, man, your career is just getting started. Sometimes change is good. I really do believe that. That’s what I truly believe.’ This gives Damone a chance to find a home and get excited.”
The emergence of rookie Shemar James saw Clark be mostly relegated to special teams as the season went on. Following that 42-snap debut, Clark saw just 37 defensive snaps for the rest of the season.
“We’ve put a lot of resources into the linebacker room,” Schottenheimer said. “Obviously, [Kenneth Murray] and Logan, and then drafting Shemar, and [practice squad rookie] Justin Barron’s another guy that we really feel good about. I love the youth of our football team.”
In 2023, Clark started all 17 games and finished as the Cowboys’ leading tackler with 109 stops. He ended the season as the team’s only healthy starting linebacker after Overshown and Leighton Vander Esch suffered season-ending injuries. Safety Markquese Bell stepped up into the linebacker position for the back half of the year to play alongside Clark.
Going into 2024, the Cowboys added multiple pieces to the room, including veteran Eric Kendricks, who took most of Clark’s 2023 opportunities. The room got even more crowded in 2025 with the addition of Murray and James, along with the increase in snaps for Marist Liufau and now Overshown.
Clark heads to waivers, where any team can claim him for 24 hours. If he remains available after the waiver period, any team is free to sign him, including the Cowboys, if they choose to have him on their practice squad.
Perrion Winfrey activated from IR
In his place on the 53-man roster, defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was activated Tuesday after spending the first 10 weeks of the season on injured reserve with a back injury.
“Here’s a guy that has good flexibility for us,” Schottenheimer said. “He can play inside, can play outside. Love his play style. It’s a big part of what we’re looking for. All 11 guys just playing hard, playing on the edge without going over the edge. That’s all he knows. I know he’s worked really hard to get back, he feels great, and he’s excited.”
