Louisville LB Stanquan Clark likely to miss rest of 2025 season
University of Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm announced Monday that Cardinals linebacker Stanquan Clark will likely miss the rest of the 2025 season with a lower-leg injury.
Clark’s injury occurred during the Cardinals’ 28-14 win over James Madison, when he broke down to make a tackle. He folded backward on his own leg, which was trapped underneath him. Clark had six tackles against James Madison before exiting.
The junior had surgery during the bye week.
“Unfortunately, Stanquan had lower-leg surgery. More than likely out for the year,” Brohm said Monday.
Brohm did go on to say that if Clark progresses, he could make an early return, although unlikely.
“Could he come back late in the process? Possibly.”
It’s a major loss for the Cardinals. Clark tallied 76 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions for Louisville last season. As a true freshman in 2023, Clark recorded 15 tackles and a forced fumble. Clark notched one tackle in Louisville’s season-opening win over Eastern Kentucky.
“Losing Stanquan is definitely a big piece, but we all know we just gotta step up,” fellow LB TJ Quinn said Monday. “It’s always next man up, so I’ve just been telling the guys that and ‘be you’ man and show what you can do.”
Unfortunately, this injury isn’t the first of the 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker’s collegiate career. Clark missed all of Louisville’s spring training due to a shoulder injury. However, he returned ahead of fall camp after making a full recovery.
Clark is a pivotal part of Louisville’s defense and was second on the team in tackles with 76 last season, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades. He had five games with seven tackles in 2024 and was named preseason All-ACC by several news outlets.
As a four-star recruit out of high school and an immediate impact player once he arrived in Louisville, Clark could be the Cards’ best NFL prospect on the defensive side of the ball. In his place, linebackers coach Mark Ivey will turn to Kalib Perry and TJ Capers to fill in.
Louisville has started the season 2-0 and will finish its three-game home stand with a 12 PM matchup against Bowling Green this Saturday. The Cards open ACC play at Pittsburgh on the last weekend of September.
