Packers’ most pressing roster issue could get even worse after latest injury update along the offensive line
Green Bay’s most consistent offensive lineman, center Sean Rhyan had X-rays on his snapping hand after the loss to the Falcons, and the depth behind him is already stretched thin.
The Green Bay Packers’ already struggling offensive line has another problem, now with its most reliable player. According to Tom Silverstein from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, center Sean Rhyan had X-rays on the thumb of his right hand after the Packers’ “Thursday Night Football” loss to the Atlanta Falcons. That right hand is his snapping one, and the severity of the injury remains unclear.
Rhyan has arguably been the strongest and most consistent link on an offensive line that has been in disarray. Losing him for any stretch of time would compound what is already a difficult situation for Green Bay.
Pressures allowed in Week 3
vs. Atlanta Falcons
- LG Jager Burton 10
- RG Jacob Monk 6
- LT Jordan Morgan 5
- RT Anthony Belton 5
- C Sean Rhyan 2
A thin group getting thinner is bad news for Jordan Love
The Packers currently have only eight healthy offensive linemen on the active roster because Zach Bako-Bewele and Aaron Banks are already dealing with injuries. The right tackle is out for the season. Thursday night’s game exposed the depth problem in painful fashion.
Left guard Jager Burton, making his first start, allowed 10 pressures. Right guard Jacob Monk also played at a rough level before getting hurt late in the game, forcing Donovan Jennings into action. The protection in front of quarterback Jordan Love broke down repeatedly, and the running game found few lanes to operate in.
If Rhyan has to miss time, the potential options at center would include Burton or Monk, but both were the starting guards on Thursday. Moving either one would create another hole elsewhere on the line. Green Bay does have four offensive linemen on the practice squad who could be elevated or promoted ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but relying on these players at this point speaks to how thin the group has become. The options are tackle Dalton Cooper, and interior offensive linemen Cordell Volson, Dillon Wade, and Josh Gesky.
External help may be necessary
The Packers could be forced to look outside the building for offensive line help, particularly if Rhyan misses time. That discussion is premature until the full extent of the injury is known, but the possibility alone is concerning.
The fact that potentially the best offensive lineman on an already struggling unit is dealing with a hand injury brings real question marks about Green Bay’s ability to protect Love and sustain any kind of rushing attack over the next few weeks. The offensive line was a problem before Thursday night, and it got worse during the game.
