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Packers’ offensive line continues to be hit hard by injuries

By Brian Sampson

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and center Josh Myers (71) and guard Jon Runyan (76) in action before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and center Josh Myers (71) and guard Jon Runyan (76) in action before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Green Bay Packers lack the weapons to sport a high-scoring offense this season, but at least they have plenty of question marks about their offensive line!

Wait. What?

The offensive line could be good if everyone is healthy, but that’s a big if. When at full strength, they’d roll out a crew (from left to right) of David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman/Zach Tom, and Elgton Jenkins. That’s a solid line right there.

The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line continues to be bit by the injury bug, and it will make life a lot more difficult on offense.

The unfortunate part is they aren’t anything close to healthy.

We all know about Bakhtiari and Jenkins’ injuries. Bakhtiari has been recovering from an ACL tear he suffered way back in December of 2020 and there’s no telling when he’ll be ready to return. He was limited in practice again on Wednesday and it looks like we could still be a few weeks out. Jenkins suffered his ACL tear last year and is probably closer than Bakhtiari, however, he was also a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

To make matters worse, Green Bay has since suffered injuries to other guys along their line. Runyan suffered a concussion last week and needs to pass NFL protocols before being cleared for the Packers’ Week 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears. He didn’t practice on Wednesday as a result.

That’s three preferred starters that Green Bay is down, pushing what are quality backups into more challenging roles.

Yosh Nijman has held his own at left tackle and shouldn’t be a concern moving forward. However, Jake Hanson was terrible at right guard last week and Newman is better off competing with Zach Tom for that starting spot. Instead, Newman is forced to play out of position at right tackle where he’s also a liability. That creates a huge question mark on the right side of the line.

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Green Bay did promote undrafted mammoth Caleb Jones from the practice squad this week, but he still needs time to develop before he’s ready to contribute at an NFL level.

In the meantime, Aaron Rodgers and this offense will have to find a way to create forward movement without elite weapons and a solid push up front. That’s a tall task.

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