Packers: Elgton Jenkins ‘ahead of schedule’ in recovery

Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins is “ahead of schedule” in his ACL recovery, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst.

“Elgton is doing great. We’re excited. We’d like to get him back out there. Hopefully that will be soon. He’s certainly ahead of schedule,” Gutekunst said Wednesday as the team prepared for the start of training camp.

Jenkins tore his ACL last November against the Minnesota Vikings, which cost him the rest of the 2021 season. His loss was greatly felt along the offensive line considering that he is one of the best all-around linemen and overall players in the entire league.

He can play all five positions on the offensive line. Before his ACL tear, Jenkins started eight games of the regular season at left tackle while Packers All-Pro David Bakhtiari was recovering from his own ACL injury.

RELATED: Three takeaways from Day 1 of Packers training camp

Jenkins’ ability to play all five spots on the offensive line at an elite level is a huge plus for Green Bay. But the team missed him and Bakhtiari in their home playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers this past January. The Packers have been without Bakhtiari in each of the last two postseasons.

However, Green Bay has a lot of hope with the former Mississippi State star. If Jenkins can come back earlier than expected, which would be quite incredible for an offensive lineman like Jenkins, the Packers will be in great shape along the line.

Once he and Bakhtiari enter the starting lineup, Green Bay will have one of the premier offensive line units in the NFL. For now, it appears as though the Packers will look to the likes of versatile OL Jon Runyan Jr. and Royce Newman to help fill the shoes of Jenkins, which is not a bad thing at all.