Green Bay Packers offensive line holds up despite injuries

Although a couple of starters have sustained major injuries on the Green Bay Packers offensive line, they have remained a bright spot on the offense. For years, the Packers’ offensive line has been one of the brightest spots on offense providing key protection to star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Josh Myers, rookie center from Ohio State, was slated to be the next Corey Linsley in the Packers’ offense. In the Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Myers sustained a knee injury which has sidelined him for most of the 2021 season and required surgery.

Veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick took his spot and has been a rock for Rodgers. On over 750 snaps, Patrick only has four penalties (one of which was a questionable false start call against the Minnesota Vikings) and has played well.

David Bakhtiari is slated to return soon, although Coach Matt LaFleur has said previously that he does not want to hurry him back to the offensive line and re-aggravate his injured knee. Elgton Jenkins stepped into the LT role with Bakh being out, but ended up getting injured as well in Week 11 against the Vikings. With the injury to Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins, Yosh Nijman has filled the role adequately.

On the other side of the line, Billy Turner is a great veteran lineman who has the highest snap count of all of the starters this season (800+) and went down against the Chicago Bears in Week 14. The injury to his knee wont end his season according to Matt LaFleur.

But his absence has been missed considering his replacement Dennis Kelly has already been penalized twice and allowed a sack in the two games he has played this season.

With injuries plaguing teams in 2021, it is hard not to feel like your favorite team is losing players left and right to injuries. Despite these injuries, the offensive line has not been set back, stopping some of the best pass rushers in the NFL, allowing a combined zero sacks from premium pass rushers the likes of Aaron Donald, Myles Garrett, Von Miller, and Jadeveon Clowney.

Even with two premium blockers being injured, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line still looks like a force to be reckoned with.