Green Bay Packers: Rashan Gary Wants to Play on Sunday
By Paul Bretl
Among the players to leave with an injury for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday was Rashan Gary, who suffered a gruesome-looking elbow injury.
However, despite how bad it looked, a short while later, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero would report that there was no break or ligament damage to Gary’s elbow. Then on Monday, Adam Schefter reported that Gary wants to be back as soon as this coming Sunday and play through his hyperextended elbow with a brace.
Rashan Gary wants to try to suit up and play for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
A source from Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber would echo Schefter’s report and add that there was no “major damage” in Gary’s elbow, although he will be undergoing an MRI on Tuesday to confirm.
The Green Bay Packers have already been without Za’Darius Smith for all but one game this season, and in his place, Gary has blossomed into one of the most productive edge rushers in football this season.
According to PFF ($$), Gary is fifth among all edge rushers in total pressures and second in quarterback hits. Gary also ranks sixth in PFF’s pass-rush win rate, which is a pass-rushing efficiency metric.
In addition to lining up over the offensive tackle like a traditional edge rusher, Gary has taken on a similar role to what Za’Darius Smith did the last two seasons, moving around the defensive front, particularly lining up over the A and B gaps to generate push and an additional pass-rush presence from the interior.
"“You talk about a guy that puts everything into whatever it is he’s doing … and you see it paying off for him,” LaFleur said over the summer via Packers.com. “He’s going to be a big-time player for us, and I think he’s going to be a bi"
Despite numerous injuries this season and some missed games as a result of stints on the reserve/COVID list, the Green Bay Packers have continued to find ways to win—although admittedly, replacing Gary’s presence and production would be an almost impossible chore.
Not to mention that the edge rusher room is all of a sudden very thin again, with Whitney Mercilus also leaving Sunday’s game with an injury.
Ultimately we have to wait and see what the MRI says, but even if that comes back with good news, that still doesn’t mean Gary will play on Sunday in Minnesota—even if he really wants to. The Green Bay medical staff will have the final say on that one.