Packers: Robert Tonyan dealt with injury for much of 2019 season

Robert Tonyan didn’t make much of an impact on offense in 2019, but he was playing through injury for much of the season.

Robert Tonyan was considered a breakout candidate prior to the start of the 2019 season due to his receiving ability. Could he take the next step up with more snaps on offense?

Tonyan didn’t live up to the expectations, however, catching just 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, while playing only 18 percent of the snaps on offense. He also missed five games due to injury.

But there looks to be a good reason for that. Not only did Tonyan miss over a month of action, but he was dealing with an injury throughout the season. According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tonyan underwent core muscle surgery.

Tonyan is an exclusive rights free agent but we can assume the Packers will bring him back on an ERFA tender. With a chance to get back to 100 percent over the summer, it’ll be interesting to see how the depth chart shakes out at tight end and the role Tonyan could have in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

For now, it’s anybody’s guess. Much of that is to do with the uncertainty at the position due to Marcedes Lewis hitting free agency and Jimmy Graham being set for a big cap hit in 2020. Will the Packers decide to move on and go with their two young tight ends in Tonyan and Jace Sternberger?

The other question yet to be answered is whether the Packers will bring in another tight end via free agency or the draft. One option in March could be Austin Hooper, who is coming off a career year with the Atlanta Falcons.

Tonyan could still be part of the Packers’ plans on offense. If he can get fully healthy over the summer and is re-signed, he’ll have a chance to improve on his 2019 production.