The replacements along the offensive line keep impressing for the Green Bay Packers.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that backup center Lucas Patrick earned the offensive line’s top grade from Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears.
“He’s a guy you can always count on. I thought he had an outstanding performance, he graded out the highest up front,” LaFleur said.
Patrick, who started last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, entered the game after starting center Josh Myers injured his knee on the fourth play from scrimmage.
Pro Football Focus agreed with the Packers’ assessment. Patrick gave up only one pressure and had the highest overall grade and pass-blocking grade among the Packers offensive linemen against the Bears.
Overall, Patrick played the final 55 snaps at center after Myers departed the contest. LaFleur said he got zero reps at center with the first-team offense during the week of practice.
“That just shows you what kind of person and player he is, and how he prepares,” LaFleur said.
Patrick started 15 games for the Packers last season; 11 at right guard and four at left guard. It’s possible his best position is center.
Not only was Patrick nearly perfect in pass protection, but he was terrific at times in the run game. On Aaron Jones’ 28-yard run, Patrick worked off the double team at the point of attack and blocked the linebacker at the second level to the ground to clear the way for the Packers running back.
Myers is expected to miss a few games at least, meaning Patrick will almost certainly remain in the starting lineup at center.
The Packers keep dealing with injuries along the offensive line. Patrick started Week 1 at left guard but suffered a concussion and was replaced by Jon Runyan, who has played well over the last five games. Elgton Jenkins was replacing David Bakhtiari at left tackle but suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and missed three games, opening the door for Yosh Nijman to provide valuable reps at a premium position.
The Packers face the Washington Football Team on Sunday. Bakhtiari is about to return to practice, but he isn’t guaranteed to play. With Myers out, Patrick would be expected to start again at center.
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