Packers have injury concerns entering training camp
After two years of good health to start the Matt LaFleur era, the Green Bay Packers were bit hard by the injury bug last season. And, unfortunately, those injuries appear primed to carry over to the start of this season.
The start of training camp is supposed to be the healthiest a team is all season, however, the Packers have a long (and, apparently, growing) list of players who may not be healthy enough to play by the start of the season.
Green Bay initially designated nine players for the Physical Unable to Perform list and made an addition yesterday–bringing their total to double digits. Just because a player is designated for that list, doesn’t mean they will start the season there. It just allows the Packers to place them on that list if they cannot go.
The Green Bay Packers are already struggling with the injuries to major players and training camp hasn’t even started yet.
The most notable players on the initial list were Robert Tonyan, Elgton Jenkins, Dean Lowry, Mason Crosby and Christian Watson.
Tonyan and Jenkins suffered major injuries last year and are likely safe bets to begin the season on the PUP list. Green Bay wants to give them enough time to recover and not rush their return to the field fully. Although that’s the smart long-term move, it leaves Green Bay very thin at tight end and on the offensive line. Both guys are difference-makers for the offense and they’ll be reeling without them.
As for Watson, the designation comes as a major surprise to fans. He was their second-round pick this season and has a high ceiling despite needing to clean up many aspects of his game. He needs all the practice time he can get and missing reps early in training camp will hurt.
The biggest news surrounding the PUP list was the late addition of David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari tore his ACL way back in December of 2020, but continues to hit snags along the way. He curiously played the first half of the Packers’ season finale last season, but wasn’t able to return to the field two weeks later for the playoffs.
He’s still not ready a full seven months later–that has to be a major concern for the Packers’ front office. At this point, it might be fair to wonder if he’ll ever return to the field. Cutting right tackle Billy Turner as a cap causality looms larger than ever.
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Hopefully, a number of these guys can continue to work their rehabilitation plan and get back to the field promptly. The Packers need all hands on deck if they will accomplish their ultimate goal this season.