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SEATTLE — If two players continued to increase their stock within the Cowboys’ organization, it was wide receiver Jalen Tolbert and linebacker Damone Clark.
Saturday night in the Cowboys’ 22-14 loss to the Seahawks, Tolbert caught four passes for 66 yards and Clark had four tackles.
It’s a difference from last season when Tolbert was struggling to get on the field in the regular season after dealing with offseason health issues his rookie year. Tolbert had six catches in three preseason games.
In 2023, Tolbert has six catches for 95 yards with a touchdown in two preseason games and is securing his spot as the No. 4 receiver on this team.
“He’s been exploding, it’s a whole different year for Tolbert,” fellow receiver Michael Gallup said. “Tolbert, now he’s done got the offense down and really just confidence. He’s just playing. He’s not worried about that no more, he’s just playing. Ball in the air, go get it, that’s all it is. If you know you in the right spot, right position, he’s just playing ball right now.”
The Jalen Tolbert show continues. 🔥 #CowboysNation
— SportsDay Cowboys (@dmn_cowboys) August 20, 2023
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Hqsk9z1OM2
Comfortability in the offense has helped Tolbert emerge as someone to possibly rely on.
Clark missed the preseason in 2022 while recovering from spinal fusion surgery. He returned to play in Week 8 and played in 10 games. He recovered a fumble in the playoff loss to the 49ers. Last year, Clark’s stock dropped in the NFL draft, allowing the Cowboys to select him in the fifth round. Teams were wary of his health, especially coming off neck surgery.
So far, Clark responded without any problems with his health and along with Tolbert is turning into a player that will get significant snaps.
Clark said this 2023 season is almost like a rookie season.
“I’m learning something every day, having a guy like Leighton [Vander Esch], having a lot of older guys, just learning, picking their brains and seeing what they see and going out there and applying it to myself.”
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