The Green Bay Packers don’t believe the knee injury for right tackle Billy Turner will be season-ending.
Coach Matt LaFleur said there is hope for Turner to return this season.
“We’re still going through the evaluation process, but certainly we’re hopeful for that,” LaFleur said on Monday.
Turner, the starter at right tackle all season, injured his knee in the first half against the Chicago Bears and exited the game. He was frustrated leaving the field, slamming down his helmet as he reached the sideline. He walked gingerly back to the locker room, and the Packers quickly ruled him out.
LaFleur’s optimism about Turner’s potential to return this season suggests he does not have damage to his ACL. The mechanics of the injury appeared to point to damage to the MCL.
The Packers replaced Turner with veteran Dennis Kelly, who played his first snaps of the season on offense on Sunday night.
“Yeah, I thought Dennis did a really nice job,” LaFleur said.
The Packers play four more games in the regular season, starting this Sunday in Baltimore against the Ravens. It’s unclear at this point if Turner will have any chance to play Sunday.
Since signing with the Packers in 2019, Turner has started all but two games.
LaFleur did say he’s optimistic about All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari returning to practice this week, which could provide a boost for the offensive line if Turner has to miss time.
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