1 Big Question Facing Each Packers Defensive Position Group at the Bye

Green Bay Packers Edge Rushers: Is there enough depth?

There’s hope that Za’Darius Smith will be able to return this season, but when remains the big question, and Green Bay also just recently placed Whitney Mercilus on season-ending IR.

The Green Bay Packers are still left with a formidable duo in Preston Smith and Rashan Gary, although Gary is battling an elbow injury of his own. Through 12 games, the two have combined for 86 pressures — Gary ranks 7th, and Smith ranks 19th, individually — and 12 sacks, not to mention that both have been very good against the run.

However, the issue that arises is when both aren’t on the field–they can’t play every snap, after all. Against Minnesota, when the Packers were without Gary, we saw Joe Barry have to dial up some blitzes in the second half to pressure Kirk Cousins. Then against the Rams, when neither Smith nor Gary were on the field, the Green Bay pass rush really suffered as they were left to rely on Tipa Galeai and La’Darius Hamilton.

Getting Jonathan Garvin back off the reserve/COVID list will help, but it’s not as if he’s made many impact plays this season either. The Packers find themselves one more injury away at edge rusher — a very important position — from disaster. Hopefully, reinforcements are on the way with Za’Darius, but until then, does Green Bay have enough depth to make a consistent impact throughout a game?