Packers get key defender back at Wednesday practice 4 Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) recovers a fumble against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Packers get key defender back at Wednesday practice

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 3:34 PM ET

Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt hasn’t played in more than three weeks, since the overtime game in Dallas that ended in a 40-40 tie. A knee injury held him out against the Bengals and Cardinals and the defensive interior has missed him. Good news: Wyatt returned to practice on Wednesday, reports ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Whether he is available to go on Sunday is another thing, but that’s certainly a positive development as the Packers prepare for a marquee clash in Pittsburgh.

Getting Wyatt back would boost pass rush, help anchor front line

Quietly, Wyatt has become one of the better defensive linemen in the league. This season PFF grades him 33rd of qualified 196 players on the defensive interior. He recorded a sack each of the first two weeks against the Lions and Commanders. A fourth-year player out of Georgia and the 28th pick of the 2022 draft, Wyatt seemed poised to take another step forward before being bit by the injury bug.

Although rookie Warren Brinson has been a solid substitute, the Packers could use Wyatt back to boost the pass rush. After a dominant start to the season, the defense hasn’t been able to put its foot down. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have a good thing going on offense, but that doesn’t excuse giving up 40 points. They let the Bengals hang around, failing to cover the spread as two-touchdown favorites.

In fact, they have failed to cover the number in four straight games. Yes, Micah Parsons racked up three sacks, but backup Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett passed for 279 yards with a 110.8 passer rating as Green Bay barely escaped Arizona with a 27-23 win.

Letting teams hang around isn’t all on the defense. The offense has seemingly taken its foot off the gas pedal at times. It’s worth remembering, too, that the Packers are 4-1-1 and sit atop the NFC Conference standings. Complaining about the way the team is winning when others aren’t winning, period, is a luxury.

Injury report confirms Packers will be thinner on defensive front vs Bengals 2 Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (95) celebrates his sack of Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

In any case, having Wyatt back sooner rather than later, if not by Sunday, should help the Green Bay defense rediscover its dominant self. The Packers have allowed four touchdowns, no picks, and nearly 500 yards to Brissett and Flacco in their last two games. Prescott torched them for 319 yards and 3 TDs.

For Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers is coming off a 4-touchdown performance against a porous Bengals secondary, but he also threw two picks. Rodgers does not perform well against pressure. With or without Wyatt, bringing the heat should be priority No. 1 for Parsons, Rashan Gary, Edgerrin Cooper and the rest of the Packers pass rush.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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