The Green Bay Packers have dealt with some serious injuries to significant players over the past few seasons. Of course, the most notable of these was David Bakhtiari‘s torn ACL and the multiple injuries to the same knee that followed. After getting his initial surgery on the knee, he needed several more procedures to have fluid drained, and then he hurt it again after playing just one game in 2023.
Bakhtiari’s injury and the long road to complete recovery was unfortunate both for him and the team. However, not every player that has suffered a knee injury has needed that long of a recovery. After all, every injury and the way every person’s body responds is different.
Elgton Jenkins tore his ACL in 2021, had surgery, and was able to come back and make the Pro Bowl in 2022. Rashan Gary tore his ACL in 2022 and came back to have one of his best seasons in 2023.
And then there is Kinglsey Enagbare, who is doing something no one thought he could after his knee injury last season.
Green Bay Packers Edge Rusher Kingsley Enagbare Is a Full Go at OTA’s
In the Packers’ upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round last postseason, 2022 fifth round pick Kingsley Enagbare suffered, what was believed to be at the time, a torn ACL. Obviously, with it being so late in the season, many did not believe that he would be back for the 2024 season, much less be ready for organized team activities (OTA’s).
However, according to the accounts of multiple media members who cover the Packers, Enagbare was back on the practice field with no limitations:
Kingsley Enagbare is participating on the field in OTAs. Something nobody expected when #Packers ended last season believing Enagbare tore his ACL and was heading for knee surgery.
No surgery. On the field for offseason work. A significant boost to their edge depth.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) May 21, 2024
As Ryan Wood notes above, the Packers believed Enagbare had torn his ACL. However, it turns out that he did not. Offseason treatment did not require surgery and he is able to practice without anything holding him back.
Kingsley Enagbare Has Been a Solid Contributor for the Green Bay Packers
Aside from the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Enagbare has not missed a game since being taken in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Green Bay. While he has not garnered much playing time as most snaps are taken by Preston Smith and Gary, he has been an effective pass rusher when given the opportunity.
As a rookie in 2022, he had three sacks and five tackles for loss while playing just 45% of the defensive snaps. Last season, he had two sacks and eight tackles for loss while playing 41% of defensive snaps.
Going forward, the defensive end position is still likely to be dominated by Smith and Gary. Additionally, 2023 first round pick Lukas Van Ness is going to require some playing time.
But having Enagbare back and healthy is a huge boost for the defense that cannot have too many good pass rushers.
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