Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens: Five factors to watch

Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

5.) Will Jamari Lattimore be able to replace Brad Jones?

I mentioned before that starting inside linebacker Brad Jones will miss not only Sunday’s game, but may be out for an extended period of time with a hamstring injury. Back up linebacker Robert Francois was also lost for the season Sunday when he suffered a ruptured achilles tendon. The next option for the Packers is third string, third-year, non-drafted free agent, Jamari Lattimore.

Thankfully for Lattimore, he got some solid playing time Sunday when Jones and Francois went down, so he won’t be thrown into the proverbial fire this Sunday, instead he will be eased in.

Lattimore has played 38 career snaps at inside linebacker as he has been a predominantly special teams player for the Packers in his first two seasons in Green Bay. Last Sunday, he played 16 total snaps and had one tackle, and gave up one catch for 10 yards in 10 coverage opportunities.

Lattimore will have to be on his toes all game long Sunday as the Ravens sport one of the most complete running backs in the game in Ray Rice — he will see his fair share of Rice in the open field.