The Green Bay Packers likely lost their preferred dime linebacker for the rest of the 2020 season.
Raven Greene, who was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday with a shoulder injury, isn’t likely to return this season, according to Bill Huber of SI.com.
Greene hurt his shoulder while attempting to tackle Jalen Reagor on a punt return against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
At the very least, Greene will have to miss three games before he’s eligible to return. The Packers have four games remaining and look headed for a playoff spot, but it’s clear his return timeline puts the rest of the season in jeopardy for one of the Packers’ key role players on defense.
Over 10 games, Greene was on the field for 324 defensive snaps, or nearly half of the defense’s total overall. While a backup safety on the depth chart, Greene emerged as Mike Pettine’s top option as hybrid linebacker in dime packages, giving him a major role.
It’s unclear if Pettine will use another safety such as Adrian Amos, Will Redmond or rookie Vernon Scott in the role, or if he’ll just use more packages with two traditional linebackers on the field.
Greene also played 112 snaps on special teams, so the Packers will now have to replace another core member of the third group.
Injured to end both of his first two seasons, Greene was productive in 2020, registering 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, one interception, five pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Ankle injuries ended the 2018 and 2019 seasons for Greene, an undrafted free agent from James Madison.
Greene tweeted this out on Wednesday:
forever gonna shake back even stronger, stamp it 🤙🏿
— Raven Greene (@RaayGreene) December 10, 2020
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