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Packers activate Krys Barnes off IR, giving LB unit a big boost

By Paul Bretl

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Packers 23-7. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Packers 23-7. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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During the Green Bay Packers Week 1 loss to Minnesota, it also looked like they were going to lose linebacker Krys Barnes for the season as well with an ankle injury.

However, after an IR stint that kept Barnes sidelined until this past week of practice, the Green Bay Packers activated him on Saturday.

What you need to know about the Green Bay Packers activating Krys Barnes off IR and what his return to the team means

The timing of Barnes’ return comes at an ideal time for the Packers as they will be without De’Vondre Campbell, who suffered a knee injury on Sunday in Buffalo.

With this being Barnes’ first game back, it will be worth monitoring if he is on a snap count, and if that’s the case, Isaiah McDuffie will likely see his fair share of snaps next to Quay Walker. Moving forward, and once Campbell is healthy, Barnes’ availability also provides Joe Barry the option to keep Walker on the sidelines in obvious running situations, where he has struggled as a rookie.

Against a Detroit offense that has found quite a bit of success on the ground this season, Barnes’ ability to defend the run and as a tackler could prove quite important for an underperforming Packers defense.

Despite Detroit being 1-6, this is an offense that can put up a lot of points. Behind their offensive line unit, the Lions have been very good on the ground, but they also like to take deep shots. As I wrote recently, this is a bad combination for the Packers, given Joe Barry’s scheme and Green Bay’s bad run defense unit.

Barnes can also help out Green Bay’s special teams unit. Through just over four seasons, he has 229 career special teams snaps while playing on four different units, according to PFF ($$).

With Barnes being activated, the Green Bay Packers roster is now back at the full capacity of 53 players.

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