If the Green Bay Packers were already thin at safety, the situation will get worse in the next couple of weeks. According to ESPN's reporter Rob Demovsky, starter Darnell Savage aggravated a calf injury during the Denver Broncos game and is now expected to miss multiple weeks.

There's a chance Savage lands on the injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least four games.

Savage got initially injured against the Las Vegas Raiders. He left that game early, but with the benefit of the bye week, he was able to come back without missing additional time. Now, though, it is going to happen.

Darnell Savage was a first-round pick for the Packers in 2019. General manager Brian Gutekunst gave up two fourth-round picks to move up from 30 (a pick originally from the New Orleans Saints) to 21 to select him. Savage was a starter from day 1 and made the All-Rookie Team in 2019, but his performance has gotten progressively worse.

The Packers exercised Savage's fifth-year option last offseason, so he's under contract through 2023 for $7.9 million. He is slated to be a free agent next offseason.

Savage has had a below average season once again – 59.1 PFF grade, with 70.8 run grade, but a bad 54.2 coverage grade.

Without the former first-rounder, veteran Jonathan Owens will be the starter alongside Rudy Ford. Owens is in his sixth NFL season. After playing for the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie, he spent four seasons with the Houston Texans. Last year, he started all 17 games at safety.

So far this season, Owens has played 19% of the defensive snaps and 69% of the special teams snaps. He's had a 55.5 PFF grade.

Besides Ford and Owens, the Packers options at safety are rookie Anthony Johnson Jr., plus Dallin Leavitt and Zayne Anderson, who are primarily special teamers. On the practice squad, the Packers also have undrafted rookie Benny Sapp III.

The next four games for the Packers are against the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Depleted defense

The Packers were without two All-Pro players against the Broncos: cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) and off-ball linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. It's unclear when they will be back, but there's a chance for both to be available on Sunday against the Vikings.

However, two other defensive players got injured in Denver. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt left the game early with a knee injury, and it's not been determined how much time he will miss.

Cornerback Eric Stokes had his first game back from the physically unable to perform almost one year after suffering knee and ankle injuries last season. The experience lasted four special teams plays, and he injured his hamstring.

The Packers are going to release their first injury report of the week on Wednesday.

Cover 3: Quick takeaways after Packers loss to the Broncos

Green Bay fell to 2-4