Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed a season-ending injury for outside linebacker Rashan Gary, who tore his ACL during the team’s 15-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
A legitimate star as a pass-rusher, Gary will now spend the second half of his fourth NFL season on injured reserve.
LaFleur called Gary’s injury a “tremendous loss.”
“Not only from obviously a production standpoint, but he is a guy who competes at the highest level,” LaFleur said. “One of the grittiest guys on this team. The effort he brings on a daily basis is definitely going to be missed. The other guys around on that defense are going to have to pick it up for him because it’s hard to replace a guy like that. He’s an ultimate competitor.”
Gary, a first-round pick in 2019, leads the team with 6.0 sacks, 38 pressures, 25 stops, 12 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss.
Gary ranks fifth in the NFL among edge rushers in total pressures and second in defensive stops.
The Packers, who have lost five straight games, will turn to rookie Kingsley Enagbare as a primary starter opposite Preston Smith.
LaFleur couldn’t rule out a season-ending injury for a few others, including cornerback Eric Stokes. He did say rookie receiver Christian Watson did not have a concussion and running back Aaron Jones could play this week.
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