Michael Owens/Getty Image
The New York Jets received distressing news on Tuesday that safety Chuck Clark may have suffered a severe knee injury.
The team, already grappling with the loss of the defensive starter, signed veteran safety former Packers Safety Adrian Amos on Tuesday as well, and now it appears that the move was a preemptive measure to address the potential absence of Clark.
According to theScore’s Jordan Schultz, the Jets fear that Clark has sustained be a torn ACL injury, a devastating injury that would effectively sideline Clark for the entire season. Currently, he is undergoing further tests to confirm the extent of the damage.
The Jets acquired Chuck Clark from the Baltimore Ravens on March 9 in a trade that saw the team part with a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. The move was met with enthusiasm as Clark was expected to assume a starting role alongside fellow safety Jordan Whitehead, bolstering the Jets’ defense with his experience and reliability.
Clark’s performance during the previous season with the Ravens showcased his impact on the field. Starting in every game, he recorded an impressive 101 tackles.
Over the past four seasons, Clark started in 61 games for the Ravens and made appearances in a total of 96 games since being drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
His durability and consistency were notable, having not missed a single snap in three seasons—a remarkable achievement for any player, let alone a seasoned veteran like Clark, who was entering his age-28 season.
The Ravens’ decision to trade Clark to the Jets allowed them to save $4.1 million against the salary cap, while the Jets anticipated significant contributions from Clark within their defensive lineup.
The Jets’ defense, graded as last year’s best coverage unit by Pro Football Focus, should be able to keep their high level of play without Clark due to the signing of Amos.