The Six Players the Packers Can Least Afford to Lose to Injury
By GilMartin
Injuries are a part of football and Green Bay Packers fans are certainly aware of that. Last season, the Packers lost Pro Bowl players like David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Za’Darius Smith and Jaire Alexander for large portions of the season.
While the team is hoping for less impactful injuries this season, nothing is guaranteed. With that in mind, here are the six players the Packers can least afford to lose to injury for an extended time this season.
Rankings are based on a combination of the importance of the player to the team, the talent of the player and the quality of depth behind the player on the current roster.
6. CB Jaire Alexander
The Packers top three corners may be the best trio in the league but behind them the team lacks experienced backups. Shemar Jean-Charles is currently CB4 behind Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas.
Alexander is the most polished and proven of the big three cornerbacks. He has elite speed and his confident attitude and leadership help set the tone for the secondary and the overall defense.
His loss would be felt as the drop from Alexander to Jean-Charles would be significant right now.
5. and 4. OTs Elgton Jenkins/David Bakhtiari
The Packers were without both these players for long parts of last season and it tested the depth of the offensive line. When injuries also hit Josh Myers and Billy Turner, the depth was even further stressed. By the time the Packers faced the 49ers in the playoffs last year, their offensive line was unable to consistently protect Aaron Rodgers which was one reason the team was limited to 10 points in their 13-10 upset loss.
Both Jenkins and Bakhtiari started training camp on the PUP list but both have since been activated and are expected to be on the field early in the season.
The Packers may be able to stand the loss of one of these two tackles but losing both would be a big blow for the team. There are players on the roster who are capable of filling in at offensive tackle but none of them have much experience in the NFL playing the position.
If both Bakhtiari and Jenkins are healthy and ready for the playoffs, the Packers will be in good shape.
3. and 2. S Darnell Savage and S Adrian Amos
Savage gives the Packers solid play at strong safety. He was playing at a Pro Bowl level for the second half of the 2020 season but was a bit less consistent in 2021 as he adjusted to Joe Barry’s defense.
Amos is not flashy but he is smart, consistent and is rarely out of position. His steady play helps other players in the secondary make plays.
The big issue for the Packers is the lack of depth at the safety position. The three backup safeties are all primarily on the roster for their ability to play special teams but there are no proven backup safeties on the roster right now.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas may step in and play safety and while he does have experience playing against slot receivers, he has not played at safety in the NFL. It would also weaken the Packers are cornerback which is not a very deep position either (see number six on this list, Jaire Alexander).
Losing either Amos or Savage for a long time would be a big blow to the Green Bay defense because of the lack of proven depth at the position.
1. QB Aaron Rodgers
When you have the two-time defending NFL MVP on your roster, losing him would be devastating. While backup Jordan Love has showed improvement in training camp this year and may be able to help the team win a game or two if he must make a spot start, the Packers are a Super Bowl contender with Rodgers under center while they are more like a one-and-done playoff team without Rodgers.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (16)
LambeauPlain
September 03, 2022 at 12:13 pm
1B and 1C: AJ and AJD.
splitpea1
September 03, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Agree with Amos and Savage, but at least we were able to keep Abernathy on the PS. And Rodgers obviously.
We managed without Bakh and Jenkins until the playoffs, and we may have to do so again for a while. It might not be pretty at times, but we can hang in there.
No mention of Gary or P. Smith? Or A. Jones and Dillon, who would each leave a sizeable void in their absence?
Thegreatreynoldo
September 03, 2022 at 12:37 pm
I think the list needs to include Rashan Gary. To a lesser extent, kenny Clark but the Packers might survive his absence. Gary puts pressure on the QB. Per PFR, his 47 pressures cannot be replaced by anyone on the roster at present, in my opinion. Preston Smith is certainly a nice player, and his 28 pressures would be missed. I don't think any of the backups can be seen as other than enormous downgrades.
I don't disagree with any of the six players you listed. I would have changed the title to the seven players the packers can't afford to lose. If I have to stick with 6, I think I would remove Bakh. Nijman is an average-ish starting LT, so certainly a downgrade, but there's hope he might improve as he is still a young ascending player. Or a healthy Jenkins can play LT at a high level, while they try Walker or Tom at RT. At least there are options for Bakh.
TarynsEyes
September 03, 2022 at 12:39 pm
The lack of quality teams in the NFCN, less the usually over-hyped Vikings, the only true devastation that would hinder the Packers is the loss of Rodgers, as has been witnessed by his injured years, while losing other players the Packers with Rodgers have overcome such injuries to other players, as proven recently. This team has gotten to the same place in the playoffs multiple times without some players and with them, again, less Rodgers, it isn't what ails this team when it matters most.
murf7777
September 03, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Taryn, That’s true, but to win the SB many of those players listed will be important. Rodgers can take care of a lot lack of talent, but it’s also proven he needs them and a top 5 D to win it all.
packerbackerjim
September 03, 2022 at 01:17 pm
We saw the OL get crushed by the Niners. Missing Bahk and Jenkins (and Nijman for no apparent reason) would again be a mortal blow to SB hopes.
PackyCheese500
September 03, 2022 at 12:49 pm
Gary should be above Amos/Savage. If one of them were to go down, the Packers could always sign a veteran like Anthony Harris or trade for someone like Chuck Clark. Gary is an ireplaceable asset on this Packers Defense.
MooPack
September 03, 2022 at 01:12 pm
Swap out Savage for Gary who should be 2nd and Amos 3rd.
[edit] Actually, I'd move Amos to 4th and Jenkins to 3rd. I know your lumping Tackles and Safeties to make a point, but Jenkins worth on the Oline is greater imo.
stockholder
September 03, 2022 at 01:38 pm
If you're going to play in the super-bowl. YES! If you're just out to win the Division. No! All were lost last year; but #1 and 2. But the 3 players this Defense needs: #1 Gary, #2 Clark, #3 Campbell. With Douglass and a rapidly improving Stokes. Alexander Isn't #6.
# 3. Savage. Nope. #2 Amos would be #4 for me. His play effects too many others.
Rodger's is #1. Bahk, and Jenkins #4 and 5? They've been Missing In Action for too long now.
Oppy
September 03, 2022 at 02:19 pm
Everything on defense starts with the play of Kenny Clark.
Oppy
September 03, 2022 at 08:48 pm
3 people don't understand what a DL commanding a double team on every down means.
Leatherhead
September 03, 2022 at 05:47 pm
Obviously Rodgers. The other 5? Considering their value to the team and the dropoff to the next guy, I'd have to agree that losing Gary would be huge. Any loss to any of the starting nickel secondary puts a guy on the field covering Jamar Chase who's basically on the team to be a gunner.
Aaron Jones has been a big part of the offense the last three years....I think he has something like 40TDs. He's been fairly durable and assignment sure, and usually protects the ball.
As far as the offensive line is concerned, it seems as though it's been assembled with versatility in mind, and if injuries start hitting we could see some odd stuff, but since we haven't had them I can't say I miss Bahktiari and Jenkins. It'll be nice to have them. I'd especially like to see what they could do for us in the playoffs.
Since'61
September 03, 2022 at 06:24 pm
Clearly Rodgers is #1. #2 for me would be A. Jones. Given our current receiving corps we cannot afford to lose our best RB and very likely to be one of our leading receivers this season. Gary is #3 and Clark is my #4. Alexander # 5 and Jenkins #6.
Bak would be my #7 if we had 7 spots. We played all of last season without him and if he were lost again we would be no worse off than we were last season.
Hopefully none of these players become injured and Jenkins and Bak return at 100% and ready to go.
Thanks, Since ‘61
HaroldDrake
September 04, 2022 at 04:15 am
On a karmic level, this article is a colossal failure of judgement. At least it wasn't titled: "The Six Players the Packers Can Least Afford to Overdose on Ayahuasca," or something more tragic. Perhaps "The Six Most Important Packers" would have been less ominous. No?
PatrickGB
September 04, 2022 at 08:01 am
Many of us packer fans are the worrying type of fans. And it’s a nice article that points out how the team had often overcame the absence of an injured player and how it might reflect upon the future if some key players were injured. Matt has often pointed out in press conferences how it’s a day to day league. I imagine that they might have contingency plans for when key players get injured. But even then, sometimes it bites them in the butt.
oldpointer
September 04, 2022 at 09:55 am
"... they are more like a one-and-done playoff team without Rodgers." Recent history would seem to indicate they are a one-and-done playoff team with Rodgers.