Packers: Oren Burks may have avoided season-ending injury
Green Bay Packers linebacker Oren Burks looks to have avoided a season-ending injury.
It was feared Oren Burks‘ season could be over after exiting the preseason opener in the first quarter due to injury. But there’s now a possibility he could return this season.
Earlier in the week, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that Burks had possibly suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was scheduled for more tests. But it looks like the Packers have some encouraging news. According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Burks doesn’t need surgery and the injury will heal on its own and is considered “day to day”.
However, Dr. David Chao, who is a former NFL head team doctor, tweeted that day-to-day is “very optimistic”, and that the injury is more likely to be “week-to-week, even month-to-month”.
Still, the report from Silverstein is encouraging. Had Burks needed surgery, it’s hard to imagine he would’ve been able to return this season. But now there looks to be a good chance he’ll be able to return at some stage.
The Packers could still decide to place Burks on injured reserve, as they’d be able to bring him back after eight weeks. If they don’t, it’s a good sign they believe he’ll be ready before then.
Burks was set to start with Blake Martinez at inside linebacker, but while he’s out, either Curtis Bolton or Ty Summers looks to the most likely to step up and fill the position. The next couple of preseason games could go a long way to determining who makes the roster and could start at inside linebacker.
Next. Five Packers to watch in preseason vs. Ravens. dark
Losing Burks for any length of time due to injury isn’t good news, but considering the early report on the injury, the fact he could return this season is encouraging and perhaps a sign he avoided a serious injury.