Cowboys' second-year LB finally gets opportunity to shine after surprise inactive

With the Green Bay Packers in the house, the Cowboys are turning to a couple young linebackers after last minute scratch.

Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau (35) grabs a hold of Los Angeles Rams running back Cody Schrader (32) following a play inthe first half at SoFi Stadium. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

A surprise scratch ahead of Sunday night's Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers game has Matt Eberflus's defense turning to a couple of young players to step up in primetime.

Linebacker Damone Clark popped up on the inactives list ahead of the matchup, leaving Dallas to slot in second-year linebacker Marist Liufau.

The team is also activating rookie linebacker Shemar James for the first time this season. Clark's absence, which is a healthy scratch, opens up playing time for Liufau and perhaps James as well.

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Though he's played in limited fashion so far this year, recording just three tackles, all in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Liufau was a major contributor as a rookie.

Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) runs past Dallas Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau (35) for a first down during the first half at SoFi Stadium. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Cowboys leaned on him when injuries took their toll, and he ended 2024 with nine starts.

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Overall, Liufau finished his rookie season with 50 combined tackles (30 solo). That put him in the top seven for tackles and he tied for the fifth-most tackles for loss with four. He also had 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) tackles Baltimore Ravens running back D'Ernest Johnson (30) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Cowboys' third-rounder out of Notre Dame is replacing Clark who has 12 tackles through the first three games this season.

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