The moment the Green Bay Packers hoped would never come has arrived. This time, they’re prepared.
On Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers, Packers starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga exited the game early with what was later revealed to be an MCL sprain in his right knee.
The 49ers went on to sack Aaron Rodgers five times with backup tackle Alex Light filling in for Bulaga, as the Packers put on a dismal performance in a 37-8 drubbing.
Bulaga, who’s missed 13 games over the past three seasons, is likely week-to-week with his knee injury. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday, though he has not officially been ruled out for this coming Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.
But if Bulaga can’t go, the Packers are prepared. Enter Billy Turner, Green Bay’s most versatile offensive lineman who was brought in for this exact moment.
Through 11 games this season, Turner has started every game at right guard. With Bulaga likely out for the foreseeable future, Turner likely slides out to right tackle in his absence.
“That’s been something [the team] told me ahead of time when I signed here, that I could be playing multiple positions,” Turner told reporters on Wednesday. “I’ve known that could be a possibility at any given time during this season, it just so happens that it’s Week 13.”
Turner, 28, signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the Packers this past offseason. He was drafted in the third round in 2014 by the Miami Dolphins, and started 11 games last season for the Denver Broncos, with four starts at right tackle and seven starts at left guard.
“I’m comfortable [playing offensive tackle]. I’ve done it before in my career,” Turner said. “It is what it is. I’ve played at pretty much every position except for center, so I’ll be prepared if my number is called to play right tackle.”
Turner had a shaky start to the season at right guard but has since found his form in recent weeks. It’ll be a much different task on the outside on an island at right tackle, though. But Turner isn’t too concerned about the preparation.
“It’s a little bit of a different mentality, a different mindset as far as certain techniques come into play. But at the end of the day, it’s the same goal and same objective, and that’s to keep 12 (Aaron Rodgers) upright and to win a football game.”
So what’s different about practice and preparation when the offensive line isn’t at full strength?
“Honestly, nothing,” Turner remarked. “People get hurt every game, people get hurt every day. It is what it is, it’s part of the game. It’s the ‘next man up’ mentality and it’s really just a part of the game.”
“Mentally you have to be a little more locked in going into a game, just because you’re not used to being at that position. But at the same time it’s not like we’re running different plays or anything like that, you just have to tweak a few things.”
The Packers also claimed offensive tackle Jared Veldheer off waivers from the Patriots on Wednesday, a sign Bulaga could be out for multiple weeks. In the meantime, Turner appears ready for the task at hand.