Due to injuries along the offensive line, specifically at offensive tackle, there is uncertainty for the Green Bay Packers ahead of their matchup with Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit Lions.
The Packers’ offensive tackle depth is a strength of this team. However, that is now being put to the test in early weeks season. Caleb Jones, who was a healthy scratch the first two games of the season may end up being the Packers’ swing tackle come Thursday night.
Buy Packers TicketsDavid Bakhtiari has missed the last two games and I’m not sure anyone outside the building has any sort of educated guess on what his availability will be for Thursday.
Then late in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Zach Tom exited with a knee injury. He did not practice on Monday, although Matt LaFleur did say he was doing better. Tom was at least limited on Tuesday, although it’s unknown at this time if he will be available or not. Final injury designations will be released Wednesday after noon.
In Bakhtiari’s place, Rasheed Walker has filled in well, but he also hasn’t faced anyone of Hutchinson’s caliber yet. Presumably, if the Packers are without Tom, Yosh Nijman will be the right tackle. While Nijman does have experience, he also didn’t put together the best performance over the summer, hence his quick fall down the depth chart from potential starter to the fourth offensive tackle option.
Even with the injuries that Green Bay has had along the offensive line, they’ve held up quite well in pass protection this season, giving Jordan Love the time he needs to go through his progressions and find the open receiver, even if his initial reads aren’t there. This element has been a big part of the success that the Packers have had on offense.
However, the Lions’ Hutchinson is a game wrecker, to put it simply. It’s already going to be tough sledding on the ground for the Packers in the run game, and if Hutchinson is able to wreak havoc in the passing game, moving the ball with any sort of consistency is going to be a tall task for this young offense.
“He is a game wrecker,” said Matt LaFleur. “The guy is all over the place. The energy he plays with. Shoot, he rarely comes out of the game. He sets the tone, I would say. I think that whole defense, you can see the physicality, you can see the speed, the relentless pursuit on tape. They’re well coached and they got talented players and it presents a lot of challenges for us as an offense.”
Sack✅
Strip✅
Recovery✅Get you an EDGE rusher that can do it all @aidanhutch97#ATLvsDET 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/WBOtWBZgxf
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 24, 2023
Through three games, Hutchinson has forced 19 pressures, according to PFF, which is tied for the most in football among edge rushers. His win rate in pass rush situations of 21 percent ranks 12th. During the Packers and Lions’ Week 18 matchup in 2022, Hutchinson played a key role in Detroit’s victory, forcing three pressures, including two sacks, specifically challenging Nijman on the right side.
Finding success on the ground won’t be easy but it is essential to keep the Packers offense out of obvious passing situations where Hutchinson can pin his ears backs. I also wouldn’t be surprised if we see Green Bay rely a bit more on the quick passing game, depending on who their tackles are, in an effort to get the ball out of Love’s hands.
Each week there are always several keys to victory for the Packers. This week is no different, and one of the big ones is not letting Hutchinson control the game, something he is very capable of doing. If healthy at offensive tackle, the Packers are about as well-equipped for this matchup as one can be, but injury uncertainty could make an already challenging matchup even more difficult.
“We’ve got to account for him and they’ve been moving him around a lot,” said offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. “He’s not only been playing over the tackles, they’ve been moving him inside, so we have to have a good protection plan for him, for sure.”
