Welcome back to the run through the greatest Green Bay Packers players to wear every number from No. 0 to No. 99. At No. 97, the list narrows to a tight call between two defensive standouts from different eras, but in the end the edge goes to Kenny Clark.
Before getting to the winner, though, it’s worth recognizing the other major name in the mix: Packers Hall of Fame linebacker Tim Harris. A fourth-round pick out of Memphis in 1986, Harris spent his first five seasons in Green Bay and appeared in 76 games, starting 70 of them. He made the most of that run, piling up 55.0 sacks, including a career-best 19.5 in 1989, the year he earned the only Pro Bowl nod and the only First-Team All-Pro selection of his career.
Even with that résumé, Clark gets the spot here. Longevity is part of it, and so is how steady he was for Green Bay over nine seasons. A First-Team All-Pac-12 selection and Third-Team All-American at UCLA in 2015, Clark was drafted by the Packers in the first round in 2016, going 27th overall.
His rookie season was modest by comparison, with just two starts and 21 tackles, but from 2017 onward he was a fixture. Clark started every game he played after that and missed only eight games over his entire Packers tenure. That kind of durability mattered, and so did the production that came with it.
At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Clark became one of the NFL’s most dependable defensive tackles and was especially strong against the run. He also brought pressure, finishing with 35.0 sacks in Green Bay. That total ranks second all-time among Packers defensive tackles, behind only Hall of Famer Henry Jordan’s 59.5.
Clark’s overall line with the Packers was impressive: 417 total tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 76 QB hits, 35.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and 12 passes defended. He also earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Just ahead of his 10th season, Clark was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the trade that brought Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Jerry Jones also received two first-round draft picks, but would not agree to the move unless Clark was included.
In Other News...
Packers Linebacker Shuffle Just Opened A Huge Chance For Ty'Ron Hopper
Edgerrin Coopers Achilles tear in Week 4 forced the Packers to rethink the middle of their defense almost immediately, and the early ripple effect has already been felt by Isaiah McDuffie and TyRon Hopper. Green Bay has had to redistribute linebacker snaps on the fly, and Hopper has been one of the clearest beneficiaries as the coaching staff looks for answers after losing a key piece.
Hoppers heavier workload in Week 5 came with a moment that stood out even beyond the snap count, a sign that Green Bay may be finding a useful option at a position suddenly short on certainty. Matt LaFleur has also been encouraged by Hoppers progress, and with the Packers still sorting out how they want the rotation to look, the young linebacker appears to be pushing himself into a much bigger role. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have More Patience With A Key O-Line Decision
Kevin Zeitlers arrival gave the Packers another veteran option on the interior of the offensive line, but it has not created an immediate timetable for a return to action. After joining Green Bay on Sept. 30, Zeitler has been working to regain game shape, giving the coaching staff a little more reason to wait before plugging him into the lineup. In the meantime, the Packers have leaned on Travis Glover at right guard while Jacob Monk remains out, and the arrangement has been steady enough to buy the team some patience.
Glovers play has not been flashy, and the grading has reflected that, but he has done enough to keep the right side from becoming a weekly problem. For a Packers front that has already dealt with enough moving parts, simply avoiding a breakdown matters, and it has changed the feel of this spot from urgent to manageable. Now Green Bay can afford to let Zeitler catch up on the back end instead of forcing a decision before he is ready. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Finally Get Josh Jacobs Back In The Mix Soon
Josh Jacobs has spent the start of the season away from the Packers while sitting on the NFL Commissioners Exempt List, part of an ongoing investigation tied to his May arrest. Even so, there is finally a path back into the teams routine, with the league set to clear the way for him to rejoin practice as the situation keeps moving forward.
For Green Bay, the news matters because Jacobs has already missed six games and his immediate status for Week 7 remains up in the air. The investigation is not over, but his return to the facility would at least give the Packers a chance to start working him back into the mix after a long stretch of uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]