3 Cowboys veterans who could lose their jobs to a rookie

1. Damone Clark

Damone Clark might be coming into training camp as the starting weakside linebacker, but how long will that last? Dallas drafted DeMarvion Overshown out of Texas in the third round for good reason. The former Longhorn has great versatility and can fit multiple ways in Dan Quinn's system. That does not bode well for Clark.

Clark was drafted by the Cowboys in the fifth round of last year's draft. The former LSU Tiger slipped in the draft due to having spinal fusion surgery after the scouting combine. Nevertheless, Jerry Jones took a chance on Clark hoping he can become a starter.

While most expected him to miss the 2022 season entirely, Clark recovered quicker than expected and the Cowboys activated him from the injury list in early October.

He made his debut in week eight against the Chicago Bears and tallied five tackles. Later in the season on Thanksgiving against the New York Giants, he forced a fumble and forced another one the following week against the Indianapolis Colts. He also recovered a fumble in the Cowboys' playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

In total, Clark had 47 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered another. For a player most thought would not play his rookie year, that is impressive.

Dallas let Anthony Barr walk in free agency and did not sign another linebacker, which opens the door for Clark to take the job. However, Overshown will be looking over his shoulder throughout training camp and expects to see plenty of the field this season. While both of these linebackers could start the season rotating, Clark needs to keep the pressure on Overhsown to outwork him. If he does not, he might see less playing time in Quinn's defense this year.