Green Bay Packers: 3 ways they can solve their linebacker situation
With Jake Ryan sidelined for the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL, the Green Bay Packers thin linebacker core became thinner. However, the Packers have some solutions to their linebacker problem.
What a tough break for the Green Bay Packers and fourth-year linebacker Jake Ryan.
It was reported on Tuesday that Ryan, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, suffered a serious knee injury during training camp. As it turned out the injury, which is now known to be a torn ACL, will cost Ryan the entire 2018 season.
Unfortunately, the Packers were already thin at the linebacker position before Ryan’s injury. With him sidelined for the season, Blake Martinez is now paired with rookie Oren Burks on the inside. Behind them are the unproven trio of Ahmad Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Marcus Porter.
#Packers LB Jake Ryan has nene diagnosed with a torn ACL, source said. Was primed for a big season. Now his 2018 is over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2018
As many Packers fans out there may be hitting the panic button, allow me to help you remove your hand from it. There are some solutions the Packers have to help fill the void at linebacker.
Josh Jones has experience playing nickelback as he did so from time to time last season. Kyler Fackrell and Vince Biegel may be in home solutions as one or the other can be switched from their outside linebacker positions to the inside. Clay Matthews has experience playing inside backer. However, he is much more efficient at the outside position.
Then there are numerous free agents available to come to Green Bay to play inside linebacker. Signing a free agent not only adds depth, it keeps everyone already on the roster in their normal positions.
As there are countless possibilities the Packers have to solve their linebacker issue, let’s look at the potential three best.