Packers $96 Million Star Suffers Injury in Friday’s Practice

Prior to the team’s game this weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers provided some fresh and unsettling injury updates.

Rashan Gary hurt his shoulder during practice on Friday, November 17, thus he is doubtful for Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field.

Regretfully, there was a small incident during practice. We’ll check in with him on Sunday, according to LaFleur. “Given his dubious background, I would say it’s not a big deal, but we’ll see. I should clarify that we are not concerned about anything long-term.

If Gary is unable to play against Los Angeles, it will be a huge blow for Green Bay’s defense, which is already severely hindered by injuries.

Additionally, LaFleur stated on Friday that safety Rudy Ford is doubtful due to a biceps injury, and inside linebacker Quay Walker (groin) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) are all questionable for Sunday’s game. According to the team’s official injury report, Alexander and Walker were limited participants on Thursday and Friday, while Ford did not train at all during the week.

The Chargers (4-5) have a respectable record, but their dynamic passing attack, spearheaded by quarterback Justin Herbert, is their biggest asset. Pressuring Herbert will be crucial if Green Bay intends to limit the Chargers’ final scoreboard total to a reasonable one, since three other defensive starters, including two members of the Packers’ secondary, could be sidelined. Due to a calf injury, safety Darnell Savage is also placed on the injured reserve list (IR) and won’t be available for play for at least another week.

Gary signed a four-year, $96 million contract deal on October 30, so the Packers could be losing him for a considerable amount of money. Through nine games this season, the pass-rushing specialist has resulted in 16 pressures, 11 QB hits, 4.5 sacks, and a pass breakup, according to Pro Football Reference.

The Packers (3-6) have a demanding schedule ahead of them, starting with a Thanksgiving Day away game against the Detroit Lions and ending with a December 3 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. But after that, the list of opponents becomes less formidable.

Despite how unlikely they seem right now, Green Bay doesn’t have to give up on making the playoffs if it can win two of the next three games. The Packers have a 9% chance of making the playoffs and should win about seven games, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). But in the upcoming weeks, with every victory, that math should get better.

The Packers finished the previous season with a 4-8 record, but they won four straight games to go to the postseason, where they faced the Lions in the season’s last regular season game. Though many of the players who spearheaded that late-season drive are still with the team, Green Bay eventually finished five points short of its target.

The primary distinction is that, in 2022, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the four-time MVP, was starting, but, barring an injury, Jordan Love, who is now having difficulty, is under center.