Injured Clark Helps Packers’ Defense Deliver Pain vs. Rams

“At the end of the day, we did what we were supposed to do. We played a backup quarterback. Anytime you’re playing a backup quarterback, it’s expected that you make plays. We did what we were supposed to do.”

That started with stopping the run. A week after the Packers limited the Vikings to just 62 yards on 31 carries, they did the same in holding the Rams to 68 yards on 26 attempts with a long run of just 8 yards. That’s a 2.3-yard average the last two games.

What’s been working so well in curing a longtime weakness?

“We’ve been doing a lot of movement up front, but that’s the same thing we’ve been doing all year, honestly,” Clark said. “It was good to have DC [De’Vondre Campbell] back. [Isaiah] McDuffie played a hell of a game with his [two] TFLs, with his [seven] tackles.

“At the end of the day, it’s just a mentality and everybody knowing exactly what run gap they’ve got and understanding that’s what teams are going to want to do. When it’s a close game and it’s back and forth, all teams are going to try to do is continue to run the ball on us and try to shorten the game. We’ve got to understand that as a defense and keep playing to that style and fit the run. We’ve been doing a really good job.”

Sitting at his locker and checking out his phone long after his interview session was complete would seem to indicate Clark wasn’t particularly worried. The Packers are, if only because of Clark’s enormous importance to the team as a player, leader and tone-setter.

“Anytime a guy can’t finish a game, you’re very concerned,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “As far as long term, I would say there’s not a lot of concern there. He’s as important as anybody to our team and, specifically, to our defense. He is an elite player, and he does it not only by what he puts out on the field each and every week but by his actions. I know he’s a soft-spoken leader, but he is a leader, nonetheless.”

The Packers will hold their breath on one more injured player.

Receiver Christian Watson made his best play of the year, a leaping 37-yard catch that set up the clinching touchdown, but was helped off the field with chest and back injuries and a potential concussion.

“We feel good that he’s not concussed,” LaFleur said. “I think he landed on the ball. We’re going through everything.”

Right guard Jon Runyan and nickel/returner Keisean Nixon briefly exited with injuries but returned to the lineup.