After the 2020 NFL Draft, it is apparent the Green Bay Packers are confident in their current. Many fans predicted the Packers to focus on the wide receiver and inside linebacker positions in the earlier rounds of the draft. These two positions were the most apparent deficits on the Packer’s roster at the end of the 2019 season. They acquired Funchess and Kirksey in FA; however, both of these signings seem more like a “band-aid” than a true fix.
Funchess
Funchess, for being an early second round selection in 2015 NFL draft, has had an underwhelming career in the NFL. His best stat line was in 2017 when he posted 63 receptions on 111 targets with 840 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
Funchess’ production plummeted after the 2017 season and has not returned to a productive level since. Injuries have challenged Funchess throughout his college and NFL career. The Packers hope Funchess can return to a high level of production and avoid injury in the 2020 season.
Kirksey
Kirksey has flashed real athleticism at the inside linebacker position. In 2017, Kirksey had 3.5 sacks, 86 solo tackles, 6 TFL and 1 fumble recovery. The last two years, his production has plummeted as a result of injuries.
Kirksey’s production has been more consistent than Funchess but he has also struggled with a variety of injuries. He also offers a leadership presence on the field. Kirksey was a team captain for the Browns during the 2017-2019 seasons.
The Bottom Line
Funchess and Kirksey have both battled many soft tissue injuries throughout the course of their careers. While both display great athleticism, injuries have plagued their production as of recent. Funchess, in 2019, suffered a broken collar bone in the first game of the season.
Kirksey tore his pectoralis major muscle at the beginning of the 2019 season. He has also dealt with reoccurring hamstring strains; one significant enough to end his 2018 season, seven games early.
Funchess and Kirksey should be healthy and prepared for the 2020 season. Both clavicle fractures and pectoralis major tears have great outcomes and return to sport through surgical intervention and rehabilitation.
Bone healing takes about 6-8 weeks on average and with appropriate rehabilitation, Funchess should be fully healed from this injury. A normal prognosis for a torn pectoralis major is about six months on average. Many factors influence soft tissue healing; however, Kirksey will have had close to 10 months of recovery by the start of the 2020 regular season.
The incidence of re-injury for both of these injuries is low, which is promising for both Funchess and Kirksey. They have the opportunity to be real contributors in the 2020 season. However, their extensive injury histories fuel skepticism of many at this time.
The upside for both players is high. Oppositely, the possibility for disaster is also high. Only time will tell the impact of Funchess and Kirksey on the 2020 Green Bay Packers. But, as the old saying goes, the best ability is availability.
Follow me on Twitter at @RehrauerJohn and follow us @OTHWisconsin for more great content! Also, be sure to check out the Overtime Heroics Forums page to join in on the discussion. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
