The Green Bay Packers’ defense has played at a high level all season long, and it may get even stronger.
Green Bay has been without pass rusher Lukas Van Ness for the majority of the season. Van Ness suffered a foot injury back in Week 6 and returned in Week 12, but was only able to play six snaps before exiting, and he hasn’t played since.
Van Ness returned to practice for the first time since leaving in Week 12, and he was limited. The Packers will hope to get him back on the field soon, as it gives them another pass rusher.
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Green Bay lost defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt for the season in their Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions. Wyatt had been one of the Packers’ best pass rushers, and they will miss his presence.
Green Bay made the major investment right before the season by sending Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys for Micah Parsons.
Parsons has been well worth the price tag, as he has 39 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 26 quarterback hits.
He puts a ton of pressure on the quarterback and forces opposing offenses to double-team him, leaving Green Bay’s other pass rushers with one-on-one opportunities.
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The Packers will need players like Van Ness to take advantage of these opportunities. Their second-best pass rusher, Rashan Gary, was off to a quick start to the season, but hasn’t had a sack since October.
With Gary’s struggles and the injury to Wyatt, the Packers will lean on Van Ness to step up. In six games this season, Van Ness has 11 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits.
The former first-round pick has a ton of talent, and they will need him to become more consistent. Green Bay has a difficult stretch to end in the regular season, starting with the Denver Broncos in Week 15.
Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley has done an incredible job in leading this defense, but to make a deep playoff run, he will need pass rushers like Van Ness to play at a high level when he returns.