Five Packers to watch vs. Chargers in Week 9 matchup
By Jesse Fry
3. Rashan Gary
At the halfway point of the season, the Packers’ highest draft pick has 10 tackles and only one sack. Not quite the numbers a team is looking for from its number one pick. But, this is to be expected. The Packers haven’t needed Rashan Gary in that capacity. The Smiths have done an outstanding job in the pass rush and Gary hasn’t been asked or needed to be much more than a rotational player.
But, as the season rolls on, the Packers will need to use Gary more to keep the Smiths fresh for the stretch run and playoffs.
Both Preston and Za’Darius left the game versus KC for a few plays during the game. Both were listed as full participants at practice but still tagged with an injury designation. As we head towards the bye in two weeks, now is the perfect time to use Gary and Kyler Fackrell a bit more to limit the wear and tear on the two primary pass rushers’ bodies.
Though neither player has shown any signs of slowing down despite leaving parts of a few games the last couple weeks, the bumps and bruises will start to add up and could take effect at a time when the Packers need them. A little bit more of a breather can help with Gary’s development while also keeping them fresh.