The Green Bay Packers pass rush suffered mightily when Rashan Gary went down with a torn ACL last season. So bad was their edge-rushing depth that the Packers used their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa.
While there is a great deal of buzz surrounding Van Ness, there is no doubt that the Packers defense is better when Gary is on the field. Fortunately, it sounds like he is trending on being ready for their Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Matt Schneidman covers the Green Bay Packers for The Athletic. In a recent mailbag article, he provided an update on Gary’s rehab based on what he observed at OTAs:
“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.”
This is certainly good news for Packers fans. It must be said, though, that the faction of fans who will be tempted to compare Gary’s recovery to David Bakhtiari’s should refrain from doing so. ACL injuries heal differently depending on each individual. Remember, Bakhtiari needed three additional procedures to drain fluid from his knee following his initial surgery.
That being said, Gary’s imminent return will provide a major boost to the defense. Along with Preston Smith, Van Ness, Justin Hollins and Kingsley Enagbare, defensive coordinator Joe Barry has a very talented group of pass-rushers. There is no excuse for them not to be among the best in the NFL this season.
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