As if Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn't enough, the Green Bay Packers have quickly added injury to that insult.
In the fourth quarter of the Packers' loss, starting defensive end Cullen Jenkins was injured while attempting to bring down Bucs quarterback Brian Griese for a sack. Jenkins left the game and did not return, leaving the Packers already slim defensive line a little bit slimmer.
Since Sunday, the Packers have announced that Jenkins tore a pectoral muscle and will require surgery, meaning that he will be out for the rest of the season.
Losing Jenkins is a huge loss for the Pack, as they used him on almost any down. Coming in 6'2'\ and weighing 305 pounds, Jenkins was the most versatile defensive lineman besides All-Pro Aaron Kampman. The Packers used Jenkins at end on the early downs and moved Jenkins inside to defensive tackle on passing situations.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, Jenkins is only the latest player to join a long line of injuries, most of which the Packers cannot afford.
Here's the situation: Jenkins is out for the season, and All-Pro cornerback Al Harris is out indefinitely with a spleen injury, much like the injury former Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms suffered a couple seasons ago. Starting linebacker A.J. Hawk might miss Sunday's game against Atlanta with a severe groin injury, while safeties Nick Collins (back), Aaron Rouse (knee) and Atari Bigby (hamstring) are all battling injuries and have missed time. Throw in cornerback Charles Woodson, who is playing with a broken toe on his right foot that hasn't allowed him to practice the last three weeks, and the defense alone seems in disarray.
Oh, and by the way, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a separated shoulder.
To say that the Packers are headed in the right direction is laughable, and anyone trying to plug that line should take that act out on the road and tour. But there is one bright spot in all of this, no matter how dim it is.
If anything, this situation will show the fans and media alike what the Green and Gold are really made of. Packers fans only have to look at recent playoff years to see what injuries can do to a team at the end of the season, but have never really faced this type of obstacle so early in the season.
But injuries aside, there is still a lot the Packers need to work on. The offensive line - more specifically, left tackle Chad Clifton - is currently in a downward spiral. Clifton, the consummate pro, has proven to be one, two or maybe five steps slower this season. The offensive line as a whole has already given up nine sacks in four games after giving up a total of 19 last season.
Running back Ryan Grant has been a shell of his former self. Whether he is really hurting from the hamstring injury that will undoubtedly plague him all season, or he will soon be labeled a one-year-wonder remains to be seen, but his inability to see the hole while running the ball is obvious.
Offensively, the one bright spot has been wide receiver Greg Jennings, who leads the NFL in yards with 482. My roommate has named him the ""Y.A.C. Man,"" as his 19.3 yards per catch ranks first among wide receivers with 20 catches or more. Jennings' 120.5 yards per game is second only to Brandon Marshall of Denver, who is averaging a ridiculous 132.7.
But other than Jennings, there really aren't any healthy players to be overly excited about. Donald Driver is always ready to break out, but has not had the chance to fully shine this season, as Jennings has taken over the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.
Hawk currently leads the team with 28 tackles, Charles Woodson has already returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Nick Collins has picked off a pass in three straight games. But, again, none of these players are healthy.
Only time will tell how the Packers will react to the adverse conditions that lay in front of them. But one thing is for certain: Things can't get much worse.
Who do you think will be the next Packer to get injured? If you have a prediction, send it to Nate at ncarey@wisc.edu.
