NFL News: The Green Bay Packers are heading into an uncertain 2023 NFL Season. For the first time in 31 years, someone not named Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre will be under center come week one. The Jordan Love era is a full-go in Green Bay. However, the other side of the ball will also be a big focus this off-season. To put it nicely, the 2022 Green Bay Packers defense started out the season playing subpar.
They certainly picked it up near the end of the year and even allowed an average of just 17 points per game over the last five games of the season. They did so without their star defensive end Rashan Gary after he tore his ACL in week seven. Today the Green Bay Packers had a massive update regarding the star player.
Rashan Gary Has A Real Shot To Play Week One First The Chicago Bears (NFL News)
![NFL News: Green Bay Packers Receive Massive Injury Update On Star Player 2 Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during their football game on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Lambeau Field. in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin (NFL News)](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/USATSI_19077918_168400517_lowres-e1677939649546-878x600.jpg)
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic provided an update on Gary in a recent mailbag piece. His update was a very positive one, as Gary has a good chance of being on the field for the Packers in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
“He has been rehabbing extensively on the side at practice and looks like he could get three sacks in a game right now. I’m exaggerating — I understand non-contact rehab is different than rushing the quarterback in an NFL game — but if there’s anyone who can return to elite form after a major injury, it’s Rashan Gary.
“He’s a freak, and he just looks angry when he rehabs. He tore his ACL on Nov. 6. The Packers’ first game is on Sept. 10. That’s more than 10 months, right around the time when we’d expect Gary to return. Don’t be surprised if he’s playing Week 1 in Chicago.”
Getting Rashan Gary Back Week One Would Be Huge (NFL News)
![NFL News: Green Bay Packers Receive Massive Injury Update On Star Player 3 Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) prepares to pass the ball as Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) chases during the third quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports (NFL News)](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_19288676-e1681100857197-900x600.jpg)
If the Green Bay Packers are able to field a rotation of Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Lukas Van Ness for the majority of the 2023 NFL Season, expectations would be sky high. The Packers will take on Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears week one. Getting pressure without having to blitz on a mobile quarterback is key to a defenses’ success. Rashan Gary still finished second on the team in sacks with 6.0 despite missing nearly half the season.
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