Packers get concerning update that could make life much harder for their defense over the next few games
Devonte Wyatt hurt his knee in Dallas.
Devonte Wyatt might miss some time. On Tuesday, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur revealed that the interior defensive lineman is considered “week-to-week” because of the knee injury he suffered against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It hasn’t been released what type of injury it is, but it’s something serious enough for him to potentially miss some games, but at least it’s not season-ending.
Big blow
The problem for the Packers is that Devonte Wyatt is by far their best defensive tackle, especially after trading Kenny Clark to the Cowboys and losing TJ Slaton to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.
Against Dallas, Green Bay had given up zero points in 28 minutes while Wyatt was on the field. Without him, the Cowboys scored five touchdowns in six drives. Wyatt wasn’t the only factor for that monster difference, obviously, but he was a part of it.
Colby Wooden was the defensive tackle with the most snaps (67%) on Sunday, followed by Karl Brooks (58%), undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse (39%), and Wyatt (19%). Beyond them, the roster still has sixth-round rookie Warren Brinson, who was inactive, and James Ester, who’s on the practice squad.
Priority
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. The Packers know it will be a long sequence of games to finish up the season, but the early timing with so many injuries piling up is solid.
“Health. That is the big thing,” LaFleur said when asked about the bye week’s priority. “We’ve got to get these guys, their bodies back, and then we also understand that it’s going to be a long haul after the bye, so you better get your mind right to go on that journey and try to get a little bit better every day.”
Roster move and its consequences
The Packers waived rookie tackle Brant Banks on Tuesday—he had been promoted from the practice squad last week.
This is a good indication that the Packers will have some of the injured offensive linemen (Zach Tom, Aaron Banks, Anthony Belton) back after the bye, and maybe the roster spot will be needed for players eligible to return from IR or PUP. If Banks clears waivers, the Packers could bring him back to the PS.
Green Bay Packers News
Packers are paying the price for taking the risky route, and now their options to fix it during the season are very limited
The plan got exposed on Sunday.
