A shoulder injury suffered during Friday’s practice now has Rashan Gary’s status for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers up in the air He is listed as questionable. If out, or even on a snap count, second year edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare and rookies Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox are going to be thrust into larger roles.
The Packers have primarily relied on a four-man edge rusher rotation since Gary’s playing time increased a few weeks ago. Of course, Gary and Preston Smith are have taken the majority of the snaps, but Enagbare has averaged about 27 snaps per game this season and Van Ness 23. Presumably, it could be Enagbare starting along side Smith on Sunday if Gary is inactive.
“That’s a given,” said Enagbare when asked about the young edge rushers needing to step up if Gary can’t go. “We prepare like we the next man up every day, so we’re not too worried about that.”
Pressuring the quarterback is always the name of the game in the NFL but it feels like a near must for the Green Bay defense against Herbert. When throwing from a clean pocket this season, Herbert has been incredibly efficient, completing 74.6 percent of his passes at 7.7 yards per attempt with 13 touchdowns to only one interception.
Herbert’s top target, Keenan Allen, has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, ranking fourth in receiving yards, along with being one of the most efficient as well, averaging the 10th best yards per route run rate in the NFL. The Packers may once again find themselves short-handed in the secondary, with Jaire Alexander questionable and Rudy Ford doubtful.
“(Herbert) is always trying to pass the ball,” added Enagbare. “They have a pretty explosive reciever in 13 (Allen) a running back in 30 (Austin Ekeler). So it’s pretty much trying to limit those three guys and the explosive plays.”
Pressuring Herbert doesn’t guarantee success against a quarterback of his caliber, but it’ll at least not have the odds so far stacked in the Chargers’ favor. When under duress, Herbert’s completion percentage falls to 50 percent, his yards per attempt 6.4, and four of his five interceptions this season have come with pressure. Offensive tackles Trey Pipkins and Rashawn Slater rank fifth and 18th in terms of most pressures allowed this season.
While getting after Herbert will be crucial, the Chargers also do a really good job of utilizing running back Austin Ekeler in the passing game, specifically on screens. Ekeler’s 11.3 yards per catch are the second-most this season among running backs as is his average of 12.5 yards after the catch. If the young Green Bay edge rushers become too aggressive in their pursuit of Herbert, it’s going to lead to opportunities for Ekeler to make plays in space.
”They like to use him in screens a lot,” said Enagbare. “So we have to more aware of how the tackles are standing and if we can peep if it’s a different kind of set for him so we can get out the stack and pretty much stop him, limit the yards after the catch he’s able to make and hopefully get a TFL (tackle for loss) on those type of screens.”
This season, Enagbare has totaled eight pressures and one sack, according to PFF. He ranks 59th out of 113 eligible edge rushers in pass rush win rate, which is actually the second-highest mark amongst the Packers edge rusher position group behind Gary, who is second. Enagbare also ranks second among Green Bay edge rushers in run-stop rate and 42nd overall.
Outside of Gary, the Packers defense as a whole has been inconsistent this season in terms of generating pressure on the quarterback. Green Bay will enter Week 11 with the 22nd most pressures, despite being on the field for the ninth-most defensive plays per game this season.
“Pretty much just accepting the game and just knowing what to expect,” said Enagbare when asked where he’s seen the biggest jump in his game this season. “Better at reading formations. Tuned in more on tendencies and being able to steal more plays and stuff like that.”
