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- Mar 19, 2019
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Clark’s big day: After nearly three months of being within eyelashes of several sacks, defensive tackle Kenny Clark’s patience was finally rewarded Sunday with a team-high 1½ sacks against Washington.
It hasn’t been for a lack of trying. Entering the weekend, Clark had the fourth-most pressures (46) of any defensive tackle in the league, behind only Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox and Cameron Heyward.
However, Clark didn’t have an official sack since a strip-sack of Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins back in Week 2. That changed Sunday with both of Clark’s sacks of Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins coming on third-down plays.
“I’ve been pressing the quarterback all year and I just wasn’t able to get the guy down with the ball,” Clark said. “I got two today, so hopefully it just keeps rolling. I just focus on doing my job, focus on winning my one-on-ones and doing what I gotta do to help the team win.”
Linebacker Kyler Fackrell shared the first-quarter sack with Clark, while Preston Smith moved to 11½ on the year with his sack of Haskins in the second quarter. Afterward, Za'Darius Smith playfully campaigned for half credit on Preston’s.
“Could get adjusted,” smiled Za’Darius, who had three tackles and a forced fumble.
Tight-end takeover: With Robert Tonyan healed from a midseason hip injury and rookie Jace Sternberger back from injured reserve, the Packers developed a game plan incorporating all four of their tight ends against Washington.
Green Bay utilized a bevy of packages with multiple tight ends and it helped factor into its fast start on offense. With veterans Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis leading the way, the Packers’ tight ends combined for five receptions and 66 yards.
It was highlighted by Tonyan’s 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter, which marked the second-year tight end’s first score since his 54-yard TD against Seattle last November.
“I think that’s a compliment to how hard the tight ends have been working and how successful our room is, and how confident we play,” said Tonyan, who missed five games with a hip injury. “We finally got to be put together with all of us being on the field. We just want to continue to do that.”