{"id":46787,"date":"2018-08-04T08:30:32","date_gmt":"2018-08-04T12:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=46787"},"modified":"2018-08-04T02:22:45","modified_gmt":"2018-08-04T06:22:45","slug":"veteran-free-agents-jake-ryan-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/04\/veteran-free-agents-jake-ryan-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Bay Packers Could Seek Veteran Free Agents After Jake Ryan Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Green Bay Packers<\/a> are concluding their second week of training camp and there have already been several injuries on the defensive side of the ball. It appears as if defensive tackle Mike Daniels<\/a><\/strong> and safety Kentrell Brice<\/a><\/strong> will be returning to the team sooner than later, but linebacker Jake Ryan<\/a><\/strong> doesn’t find himself so lucky. The fourth-year pro appeared to suffer a significant knee injury during camp on Monday. It was later confirmed that he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will be lost for the 2018 season.<\/p>\n

Ryan has been a starter next to Blake Martinez<\/a> <\/strong>in the defense’s base 3-4 alignment the past two years and is a prominent player on early downs. General manager Brian Gutekunst<\/strong> has expressed that he will be patient and look internally to younger players to fill the void left by Ryan. The lack of bodies and experience at inside linebacker may force the Packers to look toward veteran free agents that remain on the market.<\/p>\n

Green Bay Packers Could Seek Veteran Free Agents After Jake Ryan Injury<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Possible Internal Solutions<\/h2>\n

There are several different ways the Packers could solve the hole on the inside. If the coaching staff is insistent upon promoting a player currently on the roster, they will have to choose between several options with no NFL game experience. Third-round pick Oren Burks<\/a><\/strong> should get the first crack at filling in for Ryan. The converted safety was viewed by many analysts as a sub-package defender that could cover tight ends and running backs. Burks will have to become a more physical, downhill tackler to fill Ryan’s shoes on run plays, but his versatile skillset could compliment Martinez in the base defense. Burks’ ability to grasp the playbook and show consistent growth at the linebacker position will be key factors as to whether he can play a prominent role in coordinator Mike Pettine<\/a><\/strong>‘s defense.<\/p>\n

There are only a few other players currently practicing at inside linebacker. Second-year pro Ahmad Thomas<\/strong><\/a> has begun to make a name for himself on special teams and was lining up with the second-team defense before Ryan went down. Both Pettine and head coach Mike McCarthy<\/a><\/strong> have commented on Thomas’ impressive coverage ability as another former safety. C.J. Johnson<\/a><\/strong> and Naashon Hughes<\/strong> were both signed as undrafted free agents but should be competing for a spot on the practice squad. The Packers do have the option of moving Clay Matthews<\/a><\/strong> inside more on early downs where he has had some success. The only problem is the lack of depth on the edge behind Matthews. One injury to Martinez and the Packers will be facing a major issue throughout the linebacker corps.<\/p>\n

Free Agent Fits<\/h2>\n