GREEN BAY – Lost in the aftermath of the season-changing Aaron Rodgers injury on Sunday in Minnesota was a fairly solid performance by the Packers' defense against the run.
Green Bay held Vikings running backs Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray to a combined 97 yards on 31 carries, or just 3.1 yards per rush.
A number of players had a hand in that, but one run defender who was a presence from start to finish was second-year defensive tackle Kenny Clark, Green Bay's first-round pick in 2016 out of UCLA.
Here's a closer look at some of Clark's work.
Play No. 1: First-and-10 from the Minnesota 22, first quarter, 13:38 left
Result: 3-yard run by Murray
This is Minnesota's first offensive snap of the game, and what's impressive here is how Clark (97), as he fights off the block from rookie C Pat Elflein (65), actually goes down to his knees but bounces right back up and still gets the tackle on Murray.
Play No. 2: First-and-10 from the Minnesota 25, third quarter, 15:00 left
Result: 4-yard run by Murray
From the first play of the first half to the first play of the second half. This is Clark's athleticism on display, as Murray cuts toward the outside, but Clark is still nimble enough to chase Murray, dive and trip him up by the shoelaces before he gets to the corner.
Play No. 3: First-and-10 from the Minnesota 35, third quarter, 13:52 left
Result: 2-yard loss for Murray
Two snaps later, Clark's quickness off the ball is too much for Vikings LG Jeremiah Sirles (75) as he sidesteps the blocker with ease and crashes into the backfield as Murray and a teammate, CB Lenzy Pipkins (41), arrive.
Play No. 4: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 49, fourth quarter, 5:32 left
Result: 3-yard run by Murray
This is Minnesota's 68th offensive snap of the game, and Clark is still battling like crazy. Here he initially takes on the double-team of Elflein and RG Joe Berger (61) before getting powerful leverage with his left arm and muscling his way through Berger to be the first one to contact Murray.
