The Detroit Lions made another addition to their defense Wednesday with linebacker Damone Clark.
The Lions announced signing Clark to a contract on the team’s official X account.
Clark began his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas drafted the linebacker in the fifth round at No. 176 overall of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Clark remained with the Cowboys until the team waived him in November last season.
In parts of four seasons with the Cowboys, Clark posted 198 combined tackles, including six tackles for loss. He also had four quarterback hits, four pass defenses and two forced fumbles.
Clark finished the 2025 campaign with the Houston Texans.
According to Spotrac, the linebacker has made about $6.16 million during his NFL career.
Lions Adding LB Damone Clark
Wednesday marked the second day in a row the Lions addressed their defense with a free agency addition. This time, the team added a linebacker.
The Lions are adding Clark as a sort of reclamation project. In 2025, he played on arguably the worst defense in the league and still couldn’t even keep a roster spot.
According to Pro Football Focus, Clark posted a 34.5 overall grade last season. That was one of the worst grades among all linebackers.
Clark particularly struggled in coverage, posting a 28.2 PFF grade in that category. The Cowboys finished last in pass defense during 2025.
The linebacker, though, posted better PFF grades, including in coverage, during his first three NFL seasons. He showed a lot of promise as a tackler early in his career.
The Lions appear to be hoping he regains some of that form while on a short-term deal in Detroit.
During 2023, Clark started every game for the Cowboys, posting 109 combined tackles. He also 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. But while with Dallas, Clark wasn’t a full-time starter any other season.
In his other three NFL campaigns, he’s started just nine games.
Clark is joining a linebacker group in Detroit that will include 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 Edge Rusher D.J. Wonnum
As previously mentioned, the Lions also signed an external defender Tuesday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Detroit added edge rusher D.J. Wonnum on a 1-year contract worth up to $6 million.
“Former Panthers free-agent DE DJ Wonnum is signing a one-year deal worth up to $6 million 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 posted three sacks, four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits with the Carolina Panthers. He also had three pass defenses and an interception.
The Lions were 18th in yards allowed and 22nd in points yielded last season. Detroit is expected to invest significantly in its defense during the 2026 NFL Draft.
In particular, pundits have identified edge rusher as a weakness. Even with Wonnum in the fold, analysts are calling on the Lions to pursue more edge rushers in free agency.
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