Evidently, the Green Bay Packers have an endless supply of bodies capable of filling in on their hobbled offensive line. When right tackle Billy Turner exited Sunday night’s game with a knee injury, veteran Dennis Kelly provided stable relief in his first regular-season snaps since last year’s playoffs.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly played 42 snaps against the Chicago Bears on Sunday and did not allow a single quarterback pressure in 24 reps as a pass blocker. Kelly’s stout performance did not go unnoticed by head coach Matt LaFleur.
“I thought Dennis Kelly did an outstanding job,” said LaFleur on Monday.
Unfortunately, Turner is the latest starter that may have suffered a significant injury. All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari has yet to play this season, and Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 11.
Now it appears Turner could miss time after he was immediately ruled out for the rest of last night’s game. Video captured Turner visibly upset while entering the blue medical tent during the second quarter. He had been a stalwart at the right tackle spot after playing 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
“We’ve gotten decimated, no doubt about it, but nobody is feeling sorry for us,” LaFleur added after the game.
On Monday, LaFleur said the team is hopeful to have Turner back at some point this season. That means Kelly will likely start at right tackle next week and moving forward.
Kelly has played nine seasons in the NFL, making at least one start in each season. In 2020, Kelly played and started in all 16 games as a member of the Tennessee Titans. Following his release during the offseason, Kelly, 31, was signed by Green Bay at the start of training camp. He played in just one preseason game before making the final 53-man roster as a backup.
Luckily, the Packers could get some kind of relief soon. LaFleur announced that Bakhtiari is expected to return to practice this week. Losing another quality offensive lineman is brutal but returning an All-Pro caliber tackle certainly lessens the blow.
As long as Kelly can continue to play as he did against the Bears, the offense should be able to play at a high level.
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