The Green Bay Packers made a significant change to the squad on Saturday that will give their struggling offensive line a major boost towards the week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans. The Corey Linsley center is back, as the team has reactivated it back to the active cast of the injured reserve list.
Linsley’s return to the active squad probably means he will be starting on Sunday night. This should push Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins back to his normal position on the left guard, which means the team will have a question to answer on the right side of the line. There are two realistic options: the team can put Lucas Patrick on the bench and leave Billy Turner on the right guard and Rick Wagner on the defense, the positions the two have played in the last three games, or they can take Patrick back on the right guard and Turner back on. face Wagner as the main reserve.
Without Linsley, the Packers had three solid production games in the running game, but the team’s pass protection largely collapsed against the Carolina Panthers last Saturday when they fired Aaron Rodgers five times. Many of the fights came from Patrick on the left guard, who had problems with Derrick Brown throughout the game; these difficulties he exhibited could put him on the bench, especially with Turner and Wagner working well together on the right side.
In any case, Linsley’s return is welcome. When he takes the field the next time, he will be wearing a special emblem on his shirt, signifying his status as the Packers nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2020.
In addition, the Packers elevated two players from the training team to the availability of games this week: running back Dexter Williams and striker Brian Price. Williams will likely serve as a guarantee for the game in progress if Jamaal Williams is unable to play, with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon expected to get most of the work in the backfield. Price looks set to play a reserve role in the defense.
Finally, the Packers did two other practice squad transactions, adding another specialist. Punter Ryan Winslow joins the team for the extended race; the former University of Pittsburgh gambler played two games for the Arizona Cardinals last year and is expected to provide insurance for JK Scott. This transaction is probably playing a similar role to kicker JJ Molson’s signature earlier this week – there are no significant known issues with Packers experts, but if something happens to Scott or Mason Crosby, the team will have a fill – in place, ready to work, without having to wait for COVID intake protocols. To make room for Winslow, the Packers launched the tight end Dax Raymond.