Packers bet on internal development to fix a new issue they never expected and fresh insights reveal why the plan could actually work
Without Devonte Wyatt, Packers need other players on their rookies contracts to step up down the stretch.
The Green Bay Packers were already young at defensive tackle. After losing TJ Slaton in free agency and trading Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys, Devonte Wyatt had to step up as the primary player on the interior of the defensive line, and now he’s done for the season with a lower-leg fracture. While adding external pieces might be a consideration down the line, internal development will always be the Packers’ preferred path.
“Everything’s up in the air, but I certainly think we have confidence in the guys that have been playing and doing a good job,” head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday. “Certainly, it’d be nice to get Karl Brooks back out there. And then the two young guys are going to have to get a little bit more reps with [Warren] Brinson and Stack [Nazir Stackhouse]. And so we’ll handle it that way.”
Without Wyatt, the active roster has two third-year players, Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden, and two rookies in Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse. James Ester and Dante Barnett are on the practice squad. Brooks didn’t play against the Detroit Lions due to an ankle injury, and his return would be massive at this point.
Devonte Wyatt is a tough loss
Prior to the injury, Wyatt had been his best version. The fourth-year player generated 22 pressures and four sacks appearing in only nine games.
“Certainly, he’s a guy that is going to be pretty tough to replace,” LaFleur added. “And I think it just falls on everybody else to raise the level of their game.”
After three quiet seasons in the NFL, mostly as a rotational piece and designated interior rusher, Wyatt stepped up with more playing time — which at least is good news for next year, since the Packers picked up his fifth-year option.
“There’s no doubt his production has been a lot better,” LaFleur said. “He’s played more than in years past. And when he was in there, he was being very disruptive both in the run game and in the pass game. That position typically takes a little bit of time, and it can take a couple years before guys really hit their stride. And I think what’s unfortunate is he’s definitely playing the best ball of his career.”
Now, it’s up to the young guys. And after being mostly a healthy scratch for several weeks, rookie sixth-rounder Warren Brinson has been more efficient, which included a five-pressure game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I mean, he’s earned more opportunities, and I think that’s a credit to him,” LaFleur explained. “And I think DC [defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington], VO [assistant DL coach Vince Oghobaase] and Wendel [Davis, defensive quality control coach] all do a great job with that room. And so he’s earned those ops.”
It’s a big problem for the Packers to solve, but at least the roster has talented pieces. It’s just a matter of who will step up.
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