The Green Bay Packers have been without a key player every week of the season. That streak is unfortunately going to continue in Week 4 when they host the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers are going to be without two starters along their offensive line with left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Elgton Jenkins both being ruled out with knee injuries. Joining them on the sidelines are linebacker De’Vondre Campbell with an ankle injury and safety Zayne Anderson with a hamstring injury.
The only encouraging part of the update that Schefter provided was that Green Bay may be at full strength when it comes to their skill positions. Wide receiver Christian Watson, who has not played yet this season, is questionable. Running back Aaron Jones, who has missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury, is questionable as well.
Missing two starters along the offensive line is certainly not going to be easy to overcome. Stepping into Bakhtiari’s spot will be Rasheed Walker, who has been very good in his relief thus far this season.
The team hasn’t received as good of production from Royce Newman, who played in place of Jenkins in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. The interior of the Packers’ offensive line needs to play better as Newman, Josh Myers and Jon Runyan Jr. have all been inconsistent this season.
In place of Campbell, Green Bay will likely turn to Isaiah McDuffie alongside Quay Walker. McDuffie is a sound tackler and key special teams contributor, but he has not played very well when called upon defensively. Against an explosive Lions team, the Packers will need that to change.
Anderson hasn’t played a role definitely, but he is a core special teams player as well. That unit has struggled at times for the Packers this season, so an opportunity will open up for another player to take advantage of.
