The Detroit Lions continued to address their defense Wednesday with the signing of linebacker Damone Clark. The team announced the signing via their official X account.
Clark began his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas selected the linebacker in the fifth round, 176th of the 2022 NFL Draft. He remained with the Cowboys until being released by the team in November of last season.
In parts of four seasons with the Cowboys, Clark registered 198 combined tackles, including six tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, four pass defenses, and two forced fumbles, according to Pro-Football-Reference. He finished the 2025 campaign with the Houston Texans.
According to Spotrac, the linebacker has earned approximately $6.16 million throughout his NFL career.
Lions Add Linebacker Damone Clark
Wednesday marked the second consecutive day the Lions addressed their defense with a free agency addition. This time, the team added a linebacker. The Lions are bringing in Clark as a potential reclamation project. In 2025, he played on a defense that was arguably one of the league’s worst and was unable to maintain a roster spot.
Pro Football Focus graded Clark with an overall grade of 34.5 last season, one of the lowest among all linebackers. He particularly struggled in coverage, earning a PFF grade of 28.2 in that category. The Cowboys finished last in pass defense during the 2025 season.
However, the linebacker posted better PFF grades, even in coverage, during his first three seasons in the NFL. He showed considerable potential as a tackler early in his career. The Lions appear to be hoping he can regain some of that form on a short-term contract in Detroit.
During the 2023 season, Clark started all 17 games for the Cowboys, recording 109 combined tackles. He similarly had four tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and three pass defenses. The Cowboys were fifth in total defense and passing yards allowed that season, according to Pro-Football-Reference. However, Clark did not start full-time in any other season while with Dallas. In his other three NFL campaigns, he has started only nine games.
Clark will join a group of linebackers in Detroit that includes Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Derrick Barnes next season. The Lions lost Alex Anzalone to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL free agency.
Detroit Also Signed Defensive End DJ Wonnum
As previously mentioned, the Lions also signed a defensive end on Tuesday. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Detroit added defensive end DJ Wonnum on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. “The former Panthers free agent, DE DJ Wonnum, will sign a one-year deal worth up to $6M with the Detroit Lions, per his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown of UniversalSportsMgmt,” Schefter wrote on X.
Wonnum previously played in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded eight sacks in a season twice while with Minnesota during 2021 and 2023. Last season, Wonnum recorded three sacks, four tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits with the Carolina Panthers. He also had three pass defenses and one interception.
The Lions were 18th in yards allowed and 22nd in points conceded last season. Detroit is expected to invest significantly in its defense during the 2026 NFL Draft. Defensive end has been identified by analysts as a weakness, even with Wonnum on the team, prompting calls for the Lions to seek additional defensive linemen in free agency.
The addition of Clark and Wonnum signals a clear intent by the Lions to bolster a defense that needs improvement as they aim to build on recent success. While both players represent potential risks given their recent performance, the Lions are betting on their ability to contribute in a new environment.
The Lions will initiate their offseason workouts in April, providing an early opportunity to evaluate the impact of these new additions. The team’s next major event will be the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-25, where they will look to further address their defensive needs. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Detroit Lions and the NFL offseason.
