By Gil Martin,The Packers Post

Copyright yardbarker

Sunday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys will be an emotional one. In addition to the importance of getting the win, the Packers have to prepare to face defensive tackle Kenny Clark for the first time on Sunday. The Packers traded Clark to Dallas as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Micah Parsons to Green Bay. This will be an emotional game for a lot of Packers players and for Clark himself. It will also be an emotional homecoming for Parson as he and Clark face their former teams for the first time.

Micah Parsons and Kenny Clark Face Former Teams for the First Time: The Trade

The Packers acquired Parsons from the Cowboys during the week in between the end of the preseason and the start of the regular season. In exchange, the Packers sent Clark and two first round picks to Dallas.

Parsons had played for the Cowboys for four seasons and earned Pro Bowl honors every year in big D. Parsons never recorded fewer than 12 sacks in a season and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 while twice being named All Pro.

He and Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract this offseason, so Parsons demanded a trade. That was finally granted a week before the season started.

Clark spent nine seasons in Green Bay after the Packers selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The UCLA alum earned Pro Bowl honors three times. Clark was one of the few defensive tackles in the league who could both stop the run and pressure the quarterback.

Last season, Clark suffered a broken big toe in the season opener and struggled through his worst statistical season in Green Bay. His sack total dropped from a career high of 7.5 in 2023 to just one in 2024. Clark was healthy again and ready to start the season when he was traded to Dallas.

Packers Prepare for Clark

Clark was more than just a Pro Bowl player for the Packers. He was a leader in the locker room and an integral part of the team for nearly a decade.

He has also been playing well in Dallas, showing that the injured toe has healed and is behind him. In three games, Clark has already recorded a sack and has 10 total tackles including one tackle for loss. He also has been credited with nine pressures which is an impressive total for a defensive tackle.

“He looks really good,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “Like I would expect, like he did when he was here. He’s going to be a handful.”

The Packers will have to face Clark with an offensive line beset by injuries. Right tackle Zach Tom and left guard Aaron Banks both missed Wednesday’s practice. Starting left tackle, Rasheed Walker and backup tackle Anthony Belton were both limited participants.

LaFleur reiterated how much respect the Packers have for their former teammate. “There’s a reason he got a third contract, because not many guys do,” LaFleur explained. “You have to play to a certain level, which he certainly has, but you also have to be a certain type of guy. Kenny is a pro’s pro. I have as much respect as anybody I’ve been around in this game in terms of his approach, his team-first mentality, his willingness to help others and brings guys along. He wasn’t always the most vocal, but when he talked, everybody listened, and they listened for a reason. Because everyone respected what he did.”

Micah Parsons and Kenny Clark Face Former Teams for the First Time: Parsons Prepared

Parsons will be making his return to Dallas on Sunday night to face his former team. For Parsons, there was nothing personal about his departure from the Cowboys and he still stays in touch with his former teammates. He also expects a warm welcome from the fans in Dallas.

“I think they’re going to give me a good round of applause,” Parsons told reporters. “There’s no hard feelings there, at least from me. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

The Cowboys already announced there would be no tribute video for Parsons on Sunday night when he returns to Dallas for this game.

“There’s a lot of things I can consider disrespectful throughout this process, but I wouldn’t say the tribute is one of them,” Parsons added. “I would say, I just think there’s hard feelings maybe there for them, but for me, I’m happy where I’m at and we got a really good football team, so I guess I can [receive] my tribute in a win, I hope.”

The emotions will run high on both sides, but once the game starts, it will be business as usual for both players. There will be plenty of time for reunions and friendly banter after the game.

The Packers need to bounce back after their upset loss to the Browns last week in Cleveland.