Chuck

Clark

He’ll miss at least four games after leaving Monday night’s loss to the Bills. Clark had 17 solo tackles and one pass defensed for the Jets in six starts. Ashtyn Davis replaced him in the lineup after he left and would seem likely to step in to a starting role in Clark’s absence.

Clark was dealt to the Jets from the Ravens last offseason with the opportunity to start in the secondary. However, a torn ACL prior to the start of the season saw Clark miss all of 2023. The 28-year-old was a sixth-round pick in 2017 and became a starter for the Ravens, notching a career-high 61 solo tackles in 2022. The arrival of Kyle Hamilton pushed Clark out, leading to his trade to the Jets. Now presumably healthy, Clark will try and earn a role with the Jets again for 2024.

This was an unfortunate but likely outcome for Clark after the issue was previously reported to be “serious” and possibly season-ending. Clark played on nearly every defensive snap for the Ravens in each of the past three seasons. He was then acquired by the Jets via trade this offseason. After Clark went down, the Jets signed former Packers safety Adrian Amos to a one-year deal. Depending on the severity of the knee issue, Clark could be ready for the start of the 2024 season.

Acquired in a trade with the Ravens in March, Clark, 28, reportedly sustained the knee injury during New York’s minicamp. Rosenblatt said it appears to be a long-term injury that could cost Clark most or all of the 2023 season. The Jets signed former Packers S Adrian Amos shortly after Clark went down. The Clark injury is a blow to a Jets secondary graded by PFF as last season’s third best coverage unit.

Clark, a reliable if unspectacular defender, hasn’t missed a snap in three seasons -- a remarkable feat for any player, much less a veteran like Clark, entering his age-28 season. The Ravens save $4.1 million against the salary cap by dealing Clark to New York. He’ll join a Jets defense graded by Pro Football Focus as last year’s best coverage unit.

Clark was rumored to be on the trade block last offseason after Baltimore signed Marcus Williams and drafted Kyle Hamilton in the first round. He enters the final year of his contract extension with a $6.7 million cap hit. Baltimore could save $3.4 million by cutting Clark or $4.1 million by trading him. Clark has been steady, if not sensational, over the past four years for the Ravens in a major role.

The Ravens signed Marcus Williams in free agency and brought in Kyle Hamilton with the 14th overall pick of the draft, but Clark wore the green dot for them last season. The Ravens could potentially make Clark available through trade, but he’s a valuable player and could let Baltimore bring Hamilton in slowly while he gets acclimated to the speed of the NFL.

What’s a little extra turnover for a Ravens secondary that is already on third-stringers at cornerback? Assuming Aaron Rodgers steps on the field on Sunday, the Packers should threaten to shred Baltimore through the air.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal includes $10 million in guaranteed money. It’s a well-deserved raise for Clark, who was headed into the final year of his rookie contract. The 2017 sixth-rounder began last year as a backup before taking over for an injured Tony Jefferson (ACL) at strong safety. He led the Ravens with 73 tackles while garnering PFF’s 11th-best coverage grade out of 92 positional qualifiers. This locks Clark up through his age-28 season.

Clark (6’0/208) made 40 starts in the Hokies’ secondary, managing 14 career tackles for loss and two interceptions. He mostly played cornerback in college, but also dabbled at safety and covered kickoffs and punts throughout his career. An efficient tackler with plus instincts, Clark’s shortage of ball skills and average athleticism (4.54 forty, 34-inch vertical) suggest he profiles best as special teams help. Clark’s experience at multiple defensive back positions does improve his cause.