Green Bay Packers’ defensive lineman Kenny Clark shared with reporters on Tuesday that he played through a foot injury during the 2024 season. In January, Clark underwent surgery to address the problem, which he referred to as “bone spurs.”

“Last year was challenging for me,” Clark stated. “But I’m thrilled. I’m back at practice… Just need to keep pushing ahead.” Clark mentioned that his foot got caught in the turf during Green Bay’s Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, held at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love also suffered an MCL sprain in the same game, causing him to sit out for the following two weeks. Despite these challenges, Clark managed to start all 17 games for Green Bay and participated in their sole NFL Playoff game against Philadelphia.

However, his performance saw a significant dip—he concluded 2024 with only 37 tackles and one sack, marking his lowest numbers since his debut season in 2016. “I wouldn’t even say it’s the pace. It’s every step,” Clark remarked. “Every step is painful when your toe is injured. It’s something you have to manage, but it is what it is.

It’s over now; the surgery is done, and I’m moving on.” When fully fit, Clark is a crucial component of Green Bay’s defense. He has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times and in 2023, he achieved a career-best with 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups.

This performance earned him a three-year contract extension, signed in July 2024, valued at $64 million. Since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2016, Clark has recorded at least four sacks in all but three seasons and has started every game for the Packers—both regular season and playoffs—since 2021.