Tag: Billy Turner

Packers hopeful RT Billy Turner doesn’t have season-ending knee injury

“Certainly we’re hopeful for that,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday when asked if Billy Turner (knee injury) will return this season.

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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Packers lose RT Billy Turner to knee injury vs. Bears

The Packers lost starting right tackle Billy Turner to a knee injury in the first half on Sunday against the Bears.

The hits keep on coming for the Green Bay Packers offensive line.

Right tackle Billy Turner suffered a knee injury in the second quarter on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears and exited the game. The Packers immediately ruled out Turner for the rest of the contest, a worrisome sign for the significance of the injury.

The broadcast showed Turner slamming his helmet down in frustration as he got to the sideline. He was evaluated in the blue medical tent after leaving the field.

The Packers replaced Turner at right tackle with veteran Dennis Kelly, who started 16 games at the position last season with the Tennessee Titans.

Turner had played every snap at right tackle for the Packers to start the 2021 season. In fact, he has played 100 percent of the offense’s snaps in each of the last three seasons.

The Packers are down to one preferred starter along the offensive line. Elgton Jenkins is done for the season, David Bakhtiari still isn’t back from last season’s knee injury and Josh Myers is on injured reserve. Right guard Royce Newman is all that remains.

The current offensive line for the Packers, from left to right: Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Lucas Patrick, Newman and Kelly.

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Aaron Rodgers: Billy Turner, unsung hero of Packers OL, deserves Pro Bowl consideration

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers believes RT Billy Turner needs Pro Bowl consideration after the first six games of 2021.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has begun advocating for right tackle Billy Turner to receive Pro Bowl consideration.

In his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers called Turner the “unsung hero of the offensive line” and campaigned for him to get more national recognition.

“Billy Turner needs to get consideration for the Pro Bowl,” Rodgers said. “I know we’re only six games in, but he’s played outstanding. He really has. He’s a master of his craft. Nobody works harder at his craft than Billy. I’m really proud of him.”

Turner has started all six games and played all 380 offensive snaps for the Packers at right tackle. He’s faced the likes of Cameron Jordan, T.J. Watt and Khalil Mack to start the 2021 season but has allowed only three sacks and 14 total pressures over 225 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. One of the sacks allowed was the trip of Rodgers by Watt in Week 4.

ESPN’s run-block win rate metric has Turner with the eighth-best win percentage among offensive tackles. Overall, the Packers are fifth in pass-block win rate and ninth in run-block win rate.

The offensive line has been a patchwork group due to injuries to start 2021, but Turner, who arrived in Green Bay as a free-agent addition in 2019, remains the steady and reliable veteran at right tackle.

Getting more national attention might be difficult for Turner, especially once All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari returns in the coming weeks, but his play on the right side of the offensive line has played a big part in the Packers’ current five-game win streak.

According to PFF, Turner ranks 36th among qualified offensive tackles in pass-blocking efficiency in 2021. He’s also 22nd among all offensive tackles in snaps played.

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Packers OT Billy Turner believes in anticipating the unknown

Turner was also impressed with how hard the Packers rookie offensive linemen played in Week 1.

When you start to feel like a veteran on the offensive line, you’re screwed. At least, that is what Green Bay Packers tackle Billy Turner told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Turner spoke to the media on Tuesday and gave an insightful response to Silverstein’s question about when veterans start to get used to certain tendencies from opposing defenses.

“Never,” Turner answered with a smirk. “As an offensive lineman, it’s just not that type of game. I don’t think that you should ever have that type of mentality as an offensive lineman, and I think as soon as you have that of mentality, that’s when you’re screwed.”

“You never know what’s going to happen. You draw your plays up, and you never know what the defense is going to do.”

On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints seemingly had an answer for everything the Packers’ offense wanted to do. Green Bay totaled 229 yards of total offense and scored three points – the lowest point total in a game under head coach Matt LaFleur.

Running the ball was out of the question when the Packers got down early. However, even early on the offensive line was getting pushed around. Aaron Jones rushed the ball five times for just nine yards. As a team, Green Bay managed just 2.9 yards per carry. From a pass protection standpoint, Turner and his running mates had a better performance.

Aaron Rodgers had no issues with the play from his line, which included two rookies in guard Royce Newman and center Josh Myers. Rodgers was sacked once on the day but took the blame.

Turner was impressed by what he saw from Newman and Myers after watching the film.

“They played hard,” said Turner. “If you watched them snap in snap out, that’s the one thing I was very impressed with.”

The offensive line wasn’t even one of the main reasons for the Packers’ struggles in Week 1, but Turner’s perspective should resonate with his younger teammates. Expecting the unexpected is one way to never get caught off guard when facing a new scheme.

So far, that mentality has paid off for Turner, who is in his third season with Green Bay and has started 31 games.

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Packers free more cap space by restructuring Billy Turner’s contract

The Packers are creating more cap space by restructuring the deal of Billy Turner.

The Green Bay Packers freed up more cap space by restructuring the contract of offensive lineman Billy Turner, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The restructure is a salary conversion, per Pelissero, meaning the Packers are turning a base salary or roster bonus into a signing bonus, allowing the team to prorate the money over the length of the deal and save money on the cap this season.

Like Adrian Amos, Turner’s four-year deal has two years left. The Packers turned Amos’ $1.5 million roster bonus this year into a signing bonus, creating $750,000 of cap space in 2021 and adding $750,000 to the cap in 2022. Something similar was likely done to Turner’s deal.

Turner has a base salary of $4,525,000 and a roster bonus of $1,000,000 this year. The Packers could create $500,000 of cap savings in 2021 by turning his roster bonus into a signing bonus.

A versatile member of the offensive line, Turner has played left tackle, right guard and right tackle over the last two seasons in Green Bay.

Turner’s restructure is the latest in a long list of moves executed by the Packers to get under the 2021 salary cap. The team released Christian Kirksey and Rick Wagner and restructured the deals of Amos, David Bakhtiari and Preston Smith.

Depending on the type of restructure, it’s possible the work on Turner’s deal will get the Packers under the cap.

The Packers still haven’t done anything to the contracts of Aaron Rodgers, Za’Darius Smith or Davante Adams. And Dean Lowry is a cap casualty candidate.

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers points to versatile OL Billy Turner as ‘unsung hero’ of 2020

One of the Packers’ unsung heroes in 2020: Do-it-all offensive lineman Billy Turner.

Every great team has overlooked pieces of the winning puzzle. The Green Bay Packers may have several, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers pointed to one specifically on Wednesday.

Rodgers called do-it-all offensive lineman Billy Turner one of the team’s “unsung heroes” of the 2020 season.

“He’s definitely one of the unsung heroes of the season, for so many reasons,” Rodgers said Wednesday.

Turner, who was the last of four major free agents signed by GM Brian Gutekunst in March of 2019, started all 18 games at right guard last season but has been used all over the offensive line in 2020, including at right tackle and left tackle.

According to Pro Football Focus, Turner has played 246 snaps at right guard, 427 snaps at right tackle and 221 snaps at left tackle, including back-to-back starts at left tackle after the Packers lost David Bakhtiari to a season-ending knee injury.

Rodgers thought Turner played “damn well” at right guard in 2019, but he’s been even more impressed with his ability to play both tackle spots this season. Battles against Chicago Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack specifically caught Rodgers’ eye.

“When we kicked him out to tackle, he’s had some incredible performances in my opinion. Going up against one of the best, if not the best, edge rusher in the game in Khalil a couple of times, and played him really, really well. Just watching those games back, just watching his hands, and varying his sets. Just training tape in mixing things up as a tackle. I thought it was just outstanding play.”

Turner didn’t give up a sack in either game against Mack and the Bears.

Per PFF, Turner has played 884 total snaps in 2020 but has allowed only two sacks and 25 total pressures while being flagged for just three penalties.

In ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric, Turner has the third-highest win rate among offensive tackles.

On Sunday, Turner will start at left tackle for the Packers as they battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. He’ll likely face Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul on most snaps.

Last week against the Los Angeles Rams, Turner allowed just one pressure and earned the top pass-blocking grade at PFF among Packers offensive linemen.

Rodgers called Turner a “mountain of a man” who shares the “great calmness” on the field with all the terrific offensive tackles in Green Bay over the years.

“He’s been such a solid, solid player,” Rodgers said. “I think his attitude and approach is very important to his success. He’s an extremely positive, thoughtful person, and also very, very sharp. All those things combine to allow him to have a calm peace of mind on the field.”

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Packers list OL Billy Turner as doubtful on final injury report of Week 1

The Packers likely won’t have starting offensive lineman Billy Turner available on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s doubtful.

The Green Bay Packers will likely be without a starting offensive lineman during Sunday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Billy Turner, who started all 16 games for Matt LaFleur’s team last season, was listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report. Turner is dealing with a knee injury suffered during a scrimmage on Aug. 30.

If Turner can’t go, the Packers would likely start veteran addition Rick Wagner at right tackle, although Elgton Jenkins or Lane Taylor could theoretically play the position in a pinch.

Last season, the Packers listed 11 players as doubtful, and nine ended up missing the game. Kevin King (Week 5 at Dallas) and Geronimo Allison (Week 7 vs. Oakland) ended up overcoming the doubtful designation and playing the game.

Turner started every game for the Packers last season and led all offensive players in snaps played.

The Packers also listed defensive lineman Montravius Adams as doubtful with a toe injury. Outside linebacker Randy Ramsey is out, while safety Raven Greene is questionable. Linebacker Oren Burks did not receive an injury designation and will play Sunday.

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Before their game vs. Vikings, Packers are keeping right side of OL a secret

The Packers aren’t giving anything away about the right side of their offensive line before their game against the Vikings.

Asked about where the Packers stand with the right side of the offensive line, Matt LaFleur kept things cryptic in the lead up to his team playing the Vikings.

“I’d love to tell you, but I think you’ll have to wait and see on Sunday,” LaFleur told reporters, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Here’s what our friends at Packers Wire said about the current competition there:

“The Packers have had Billy Turner and Lane Taylor competing at right guard and Turner and Rick Wagner competing at right tackle, but Turner is dealing with a knee injury and Wagner missed a big chunk of camp with an elbow injury, complicating the situation. LaFleur also didn’t rule out using left guard Elgton Jenkins at right tackle, which would require additional shuffling.”

That right side will have to find a way to stop Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, who has tallied 14.5 sacks for two consecutive seasons. Not only that, but on the other side of the defensive line, the Vikings have acquired Yannick Ngakoue, who could be ready for a big role with Minnesota right out of the gate. Those two are among the best pass rushing duos in the NFL.

“We’re going to have a good challenge,” LaFleur said, via Packers Wire. “The Minnesota defense is phenomenal. I have a lot of respect for coach Zimmer. You just look at that defense, they have two premier edge rushers.”

NFL’s conference title games will feature several former Broncos

Broncos fans will recognize several former Denver players and coaches during the AFC and NFC championship games this weekend.

The Broncos did not reach the playoffs this year but the team will be well-represented by former coaches and players in the NFL’s conference championship games this weekend.

49ers center Ben Garland and Emmanuel Sanders both played in Denver before landing in San Francisco. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is the son of former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. Defensive backs/passing game coordinator Joe Woods coached in Denver from 2015-2018.

Wes Welker, who was a key member of the Broncos’ record-breaking offense in 2013, now serves as San Francisco’s wide receivers coach.

In Green Bay, the Packers have three offensive linemen who spent time in Denver: Billy Turner, Jared Veldheer and John Leglue.

The Titans have four former Broncos on their roster: punter Brett Kern, wide receiver Kalif Raymond, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and cornerback Tramaine Brock. Kern earned first-team All-Pro honors and the third Pro Bowl selection of his career this season.

The Titans will take on the Chiefs in the AFC title game on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1:05 p.m. MT on CBS. The 49ers will face the Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at 4:40 p.m. MT on Fox.

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Packers OL Billy Turner prepared to play any position along offensive line

The Packers may need RG Billy Turner to slide out and play RT on Sunday against the Giants.

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.