Packers: Rashan Gary could play vs. Vikings in Week 11
When Rashan Gary walked down the Lambeau Field tunnel in a lot of pain during the Green Bay Packers‘ victory over the Seattle Seahawks, many feared the worst.
Based on his reaction, it sure looked like he could see significant time on the sidelines and potentially not play again this season.
Fortunately, this doesn’t appear to be the case. And, surprisingly, there’s a chance he could be out there this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gary has an MRI scheduled for Tuesday to learn more about his elbow injury, but for now the plan is to use a brace and attempt to play.
Packers’ OLB Rashan Gary plans to brace his hyperextended elbow to see if he can try to play Sunday vs. the Vikings, per source. But Gary also has an MRI on his elbow scheduled for Tuesday to see if anything gets in the way of his plans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2021
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Monday that “initial indications are there’s no break or ligament damage” to Gary’s elbow, which is encouraging news.
Gary has easily been the Packers’ best pass rusher this season, making 5.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits in 10 games — both already career-highs. He also has 25 pressures.
Gary has also been excellent in run defense. According to ESPN, his run block win rate this season is 31 percent, good for eighth among edge defenders.
With Za’Darius Smith still out with a back injury and Whitney Mercilus now done for the rest of the year, the Packers can’t afford to lose Gary for much time.
The defense has come on strong in recent weeks, limiting the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs on offense then shutting out the Seattle Seahawks. A big reason for that has been Rashan Gary, who has two sacks and four quarterback hits over the past three weeks.
Even if Gary isn’t out there for the Packers this week against the Vikings, the good news is he seems to have avoided a significant injury. The Packers have two games before their bye week, and then comes the stretch run. That’s where they will need their best pass rusher.