Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst provided a positive health update on linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who missed joint practices against the New England Patriots because of a new ankle injury.
Gutekunst said Campbell avoided a serious injury and would be back on the field sooner rather than later.
“It’s not a long-term thing,” Gutekunst said Friday. “He’s a seasoned pro so I don’t think this will hold him back much.”
There are 23 days between Friday and Sunday, Sept. 10, the date of the Packers’ Week 1 showdown with the Chicago Bears. Campbell has over three weeks to get the ankle healthy and return to the practice field.
Last season, Campbell dealt with a nagging shoulder injury before a knee injury knocked him out for four games. He was looking forward to entering training camp completely healthy.
In Campbell’s absence over the last two practices, third-year linebacker Isaiah McDuffie worked alongside Quay Walker with the starting defense. Veteran Eric Wilson also got more reps at linebacker.
McDuffie tried to make the most of his first-team snaps.
“It was very (beneficial),” McDuffie told Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “Any snaps I get I feel like are very, very critical for my development and for me to take that next step.”
Campbell won’t be expected to play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Patriots.
