Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his ailing toe might not get as much protection as usual for the rest of the season.
became doubly painful with the news Monday that Elgton Jenkins would miss the remainder of the season. Jenkins was carted off the field Sunday after hurting his left knee.
Jenkins’ injury further decimates a line that already is missing 2020 All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari as well as center Josh Myers because of knee injuries. Jenkins, a Pro Bowl left guard last season,
“Certainly Elgton’s been a big part of this team and still is a big part of this team, but just won’t be out there with us,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday. “It’s just one of those deals, that it’s an unfortunate part of our game, and we’ve had a lot of guys unfortunately have to go through this this year.”
Jenkins’ injury underscores the importance of getting Bakhtiari back.
He was
LaFleur said Monday that Bakhtiari wouldn’t be available for the Packers’ upcoming game with the Los Angeles Rams (7-3). The NFC North-leading Packers (8-3) have their long-awaited week off after that game.
“We’ll just see where he’s at after the bye,” LaFleur said. “We’re hopeful that he’ll be able to come back this year at some point. It certainly isn’t for a lack of work ethic on his part. It’s not for a lack of toughness. It’s just one of those things where you never quite know how everybody’s going to respond to the recovery process, and I think that’s just where we’re at with him.”
The uncertain nature of the line could enable opponents to put more pressure on Rodgers, who already is playing at less than full strength.
Rodgers hasn’t practiced much the past few weeks because of a
“Got stepped on in the first half, and that kind of activated all the symptoms I was having,” Rodgers said after the game. “So it’s going to be another painful week next week, and hopefully start to feel a little better in the bye.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Even with Rodgers playing hurt, the Packers scored touchdowns on each of their last four drives, excluding a one-play series in which they took a knee to close the first half. But that offense needs to start better. The Packers have totaled 13 first-half points over their past three games, though
WHAT NEEDS WORK
since the
STOCK UP
WR Davante Adams had two catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. ... WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling had four receptions for 123 yards, including a game-tying 75-yard touchdown with 2:08 left in the game. ... With WR Allen Lazard sidelined, WR Equanimeous St. Brown stepped up and had two catches for 43 yards plus an 11-yard carry. ... OLB Preston Smith had two sacks. He has five sacks over his past four games and has at least one sack in each of them.
STOCK DOWN
CB Eric Stokes, the first-round pick from Georgia, had one of his toughest performances in a solid rookie season. ... CB Rasul Douglas,
INJURED
Jenkins’ season-ending injury makes Yosh Nijman the Packers’ first-team left tackle as long as Bakhtiari is out. Nijman made his first three NFL starts earlier this season when an ankle injury sidelined Jenkins.
“I think Yosh has all the traits you look for in an offensive lineman,” LaFleur said. “He’s big, he’s athletic, he can bend, he’s strong, powerful, everything. It’s just about putting it all together on a consistent basis.”
NUMBER
1: The number of times the Packers have lost a road game to an NFC North opponent in LaFleur’s three-year tenure. LaFleur was undefeated in those situations before Sunday. Both of LaFleur’s NFC North losses have come to the Vikings.
NEXT STEPS
The Packers hope they don’t suffer another major injury Sunday when they host the Rams. Then they’ll try to get healthier during their week off.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
