Packers TE Robert Tonyan on track to play Week 1 vs. Vikings

Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan could be available in Week 1 for the road game against the Minnesota Vikings.

This is significant news because Tonyan suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 of last season against the Arizona Cardinals on a Thursday night out in the desert.

According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, Tonyan is “expected” to be cleared in time for Week 1.

What a remarkable turnaround this would be for No. 85. Returning from an ACL tear around 10 months after it was originally torn is incredible. The Packers’ offense missed both Tonyan and David Bakhtiari’s presence in the postseason. To get both of those guys back in the fold is great news.

Tonyan should’ve been named to the Pro Bowl in 2020. He led all tight ends in touchdown catches with 11. He also has had no drops and no fumbles (none for his career) combined each of the last three seasons.

The soon-to-be fifth-year veteran is arguably the best tight end the Packers have had since Jermichael Finley.

Tonyan will step back into his original role as the top pass-catcher among the tight ends. His 11.5 career yards per reception mark is nothing to shake your head at. He plays a pivotal role in the receiving game.

Next in line is 17-year veteran Marcedes Lewis, but he is more utilized in run-blocking, which is what he is arguably best in the league at. After Lewis, third-year tight ends Josiah Deguara, Dominique Dafney, and Tyler Davis follow.

Getting Tonyan back so soon would be a huge win for Matt LaFleur, Adam Stenavich, Aaron Rodgers, the Packers as a franchise, and Tonyan himself, especially because he is in a contract year.

Assuming he is fully healthy, look for a career year from Robert Tonyan, especially with the losses of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.