Packers inactives: David Bakhtiari out, Terron Armstead in for Dolphins
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have released their inactives list for their matchup with the Miami Dolphins, and once again, because they are relatively healthy, there are no surprises.
David Bakhtiari was the only player listed with an injury designation which was doubtful, and he will not play as he is still recovering from his appendectomy. This, of course, means that Zach Tom will again be at left tackle. Understandably so, all eyes over the last handful of games or so have been on Christian Watson and the Packers’ passing game, but the offensive line has been playing much better as well — and been relatively healthy — during this stretch, which has resulted in time for Aaron Rodgers and a potent run game.
Although the Dolphins have struggled to defend the pass this season, Green Bay will have to make sure Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are still involved on the ground. As I wrote about in my 3 Must-Win Matchups, in the four games over the last seven weeks where Green Bay has averaged 29 points, Jones and Dillon have over 550 rushing yards at nearly 5.0 yards per carry. In the two games where the Packers combined for just 26 points, Jones and Dillon barely crossed the 100-yard mark and didn’t even hit 3.0 yards per rush.
The other inactives for the Packers include Shemar Jean-Charles, who hasn’t been active since he returned from a foot injury. Jean-Charles was a primary special teams player early on in the year, but those snaps have now been taken by Corey Ballentine and Innis Gaines.
Also on the list is Jonathan Garvin. This isn’t the first time Garvin has been inactive either. Garvin was available against the Rams but didn’t take any snaps this past Monday. On the season he has just seven pressures and without Garvin, the Packers are likely going with just a three man rotation at edge rusher, as opposed to the usual four. Perhaps Quay Walker will be in store for some additional edge rusher snaps today.
Lastly, Caleb Jones and Jonathan Ford are the other two inactives, which again, is no surprise as both have been inactive all season when available. For the second week in a row, the Packers did not utilize any of their practice squad elevations.
Of note for Miami, offensive tackle Terron Armstead will be available. Armstead was listed as questionable after missing two days of practice this past week with toe, knee, and pec injuries.
As the Packers try to limit the Dolphins’ big-play offense, pressuring Tua Tagovailoa will be a must. Asking the Green Bay cornerbacks to cover the speedy Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for three or four seconds routinely is not a recipe for success. Armstead has again been one of the best left tackles in football, allowing just one sack and 14 pressures in total this season, according to PFF. The Packers, meanwhile, have struggled to create consistent pressure without Rashan Gary, and given the threat that Miami poses in the passing game, I don’t see Green Bay blitzing all that much.
The Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes received a big boost on Saturday, with New York, Washington, Detroit, and Seattle all losing. All of a sudden, their path to the playoffs is quite clear, but it, of course, requires Green Bay beating a very good Dolphins team on the road.