Packers' Bryan Bulaga ruled OUT against Khalil Mack, Bears

Sunday could be a disastrous outing for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers' offensive line if they can't find a way to protect their prized quarterback.

Unfortunately, they'll have to find a way to do it without starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga.

Bulaga was ruled out for Sunday's divisional clash against the Chicago Bears, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and will miss his second straight game with a knee injury.

The Packers listed Bulaga as "doubtful" on the team's injury report as he was a non-participant for the week. Bulaga, cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive lineman Kenny Clark all didn't practice a single day.

Breeland was excused to tend to a personal matter while also being listed with a groin injury and Clark is battling an elbow injury that he'll likely use a wrap to protect on Sunday, similar to what he did last week against the Atlanta Falcons.

Jason Spriggs will get the start at right tackle and match-up almost exclusively against the Bears' most lethal defensive weapon, Khalil Mack. Spriggs started last week against the Falcons as well and turned in a solid performance.

The majority of the Packers' offensive line was in shambles last week. Lucas Patrick started at left guard in place of Lane Taylor, Justin McCray started at right guard in place of Byron Bell -- now on injured reserve -- and Spriggs filled in for Bulaga.

The Packers shouldn't be down three-fifths of their offensive line like they were, however. Taylor was upgraded to a full participant later in the week and was given no designation for Sunday's game and McCray wasn't listed on the injury report.

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (19)

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Skip greenBayless's picture

December 16, 2018 at 03:27 am

Don't say a prayer for Spriggs now, save it til the morning after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uxc9eFcZyM

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BigJimPackFan's picture

December 16, 2018 at 07:38 am

I say shut him down, Bryan Bulaga, for the remaining games of the season and expect him to be part of a major housecleaning job by Gutey and the new HC!

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Lare's picture

December 16, 2018 at 07:49 am

Why is it that most of the Packers highest paid players are always the ones injured the most?

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Since'61's picture

December 16, 2018 at 09:25 am

Because they can be! Also, because they play the most until they are injured except of course for Perry who doesn't play even when he is on the field. Thanks, Since '61

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HankScorpio's picture

December 16, 2018 at 07:59 am

Opinions do vary on Spriggs. I reckon there is not much of a bigger test he can be given to bring some clarity on him.

Also being tested by this news: the ability of Philbin and Co to scheme around OL weakness with help, quick passing, screens and everything else an offense has in their bag of tricks to help slow a pass rush. That includes Rodgers being patient enough to get the ball out quickly instead of holding it while looking for the slow-developing deep pass.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 16, 2018 at 09:08 am

How Spriggs does will be interesting. Whether Philbin gives Spriggs lots of help also will be interesting since MM was always reluctant to do that.

Finally, how the OL holds up will help shape (fan anyway) opinion about retaining Bulaga in 2019.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

December 16, 2018 at 11:00 am

Well, one good thing is IF AR had any fantasies about holding the football they should have evaporated with this news. But I think he knows he absolutely has to throw the ball on time. He killed the bears that way on one leg. Hopefully Cobb is healthy, he needs to have a big game in the curl to flat.

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LeotisHarris's picture

December 16, 2018 at 09:28 am

Yes, this. And give poor Jason some help via Mercedes Lewis.

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2018 at 10:00 am

I suspect the Packers and ARod knew all week that Bulaga wasn't going to play, they just hadn't made it known. Hopefully they've been preparing that way....

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

December 16, 2018 at 10:59 am

Yeah, probably.

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Bearmeat's picture

December 16, 2018 at 09:36 am

My fan brain has overtaken my rational brain. For some reason I do think GB wins today.

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2018 at 10:03 am

I have this same kind of feeling. If they get out to a fast start, take advantage of a couple TOs (Bears tied for 7th most giveaways), and take care of the ball, they'll give themselves a chance to win.

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flackcatcher's picture

December 16, 2018 at 10:32 am

Bulaga played most of this season on one good leg. He never should have been out there, but the Packers had no one else. Earned every penny of his contract and then some. A truly underrated player. Packers are really going to miss him today.

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HankScorpio's picture

December 16, 2018 at 10:37 am

Kenny Clark is also inactive. Yikes.

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Skip greenBayless's picture

December 16, 2018 at 10:45 am

Wow, Clark and Bulaga? Two key guys. Now it's up to Spriggs and Adams? I hope Kumerow is traveling with them. We need almost a religious intervention if this team is going to win.

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2018 at 11:28 am

Spriggs and Lancaster. Lancaster seems to be the guy garnering snaps in the de facto NT position. Maybe we see James Looney getting some defensive snaps today.

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flackcatcher's picture

December 16, 2018 at 12:39 pm

Jones down with a knee, this is becoming more and more like 2015 injury wise. (UGH!)

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

December 16, 2018 at 11:10 am

goodbye Rodgers

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Denise Chanterelle's picture

December 16, 2018 at 11:44 am

Let's go Pack. Other teams overcome injuries and we can too. Let's take it to these Bears. They're beatable for sure.

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