Resilient packers weathered trauma, but losing Elgton Jenkins could be their biggest test yet – Green Bay Packers Blog

MINNEAPOLIS – Aaron Rodgers‘first word – actually more vocal – when he was asked about losing the left ball Elgton Jenkins serves as a suitable summary of all injuries Green Bay Packers maintained this season.

“Oh,” said Rodgers while shaking his head.

If the Packers’ season has turned into one where injuries will eventually destroy them, then meet the newest contestant. Jenkins tore left ACL at the end of the season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, according to the source, in Sunday’s 34-31 loss to Minnesota Vikings.

Not only is Jenkins lost, it’s that there’s still no timetable for starting priority left David Bakhtiari will finally play this season, if he does play all in 2021. Bakhtiari’s return from his December 31 torn ACL has been indefinitely delayed. While the Packers insist he doesn’t give up, they halted his practice last week after three weeks of at least limited participation.

The Packers could have moved Jenkins back to left-back, where he made the Pro Bowl last season, if – or when – Bakhtiari returns. They finished Sunday’s game with a third string Yosh Nijman in the left settlement.

“My goodness, he was so flexible for us,” Rodgers said of Jenkins on Sunday before the severity of the injury was known. “He can play any position up front; I think he played at least four of them. So definitely hate to see that happen… but given Dave’s condition is unknown, we might have to rely on Yosh. He played some good football for us. Proud of the path he has stepped on. Hopefully the news isn’t too bad for Elgton. “

While Nijman kept his form on Sunday and in his three starts earlier this season while Jenkins deals with an ankle injury, the cumulative impact of the injuries could be problematic. subject. Opening day center opening day Josh Myers Still on injury reserve following knee surgery, meaning the Packers may not have three of their five starting points in attack.

This from an offensive line that committed five penalties (two false starts, two holds and an unauthorized hand to the face) for the Vikings.

If only the Packers’ injury was in that one spot or even one side of the ball, where they also played without running again. Aaron Jones (knee) and receiver Allen Lazard (shoulder) on Sunday. And that doesn’t include tight endings Robert Tonyan, who was lost in the off-season to an ACL tear last month.

Defensively could have used some combination of Rashan Gary (elbow), Za’Darius Smith (return and Jare Alexander (shoulder) against the Vikings. All in all, that’s eight of the 22 starters that are prioritized before Sunday’s close.

“This is the ultimate team sport, isn’t it?” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “We know in order to accomplish all of our goals we need all three phases to fire as high as possible. … It’s certainly good when you can find other ways. each other to win the game, but ultimately we needed everyone to peak at the right time, and we weren’t able to do that consistently in a game.”

When Preston Smith Dismissal Kirk Cousin twice and was forced to stagger, he was mostly on his own, without midfielders Gary and Za’Darius Smith to help pressurize. And without Alexander, the Vikings received Justin Jefferson almost single-handedly destroy the game. Whether it’s a veteran Kevin King or rookie Eric Stokes On his side, Jefferson caught eight of the 10 passes made for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns.

That’s the kind of player the Packers (8-3) will likely face in the knockout stages. Their much-needed goodbye is still a week away, with Los Angeles Rams (7-3) still stands between the Packers and their week off.

“We’ve got some boys getting bummed right now, but we have a good team where the next man can step in and play well,” the Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling speak. “But obviously those are tough losers. We’ve had the kind of traumatic bug that affected us all year. It seems like every game we lose a guy to something.”