Packers inside linebacker Christian Kirksey sustained a shoulder injury during the team’s Sunday night victory over the Saints, and Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reported earlier this week that Kirksey would miss at least one game as a result. Unfortunately, the Packers placed the 28-year-old ‘backer on IR today, sidelining him for at least three games.
It’s a tough break for Kirksey, who was released by the Browns in March following two injury-marred seasons. An assortment of ailments limited him to just seven games in 2018, and he missed all but two games of the 2019 campaign due to a broken collarbone. He still managed to find a nice payday in free agency, landing a two-year, $13MM contract from Green Bay after generating a significant amount of interest on the open market.
He played in all of the Packers’ defensives snaps over the first two games of the season, recording 12 total tackles in each contest. He also served as the defensive signal-caller. 2019 seventh-rounder Ty Summers filled in for Kirksey and wore the speaker helmet, and the team reported no communication issues.
Still, if Kirksey is out for an extended period, Green Bay could look to sign a veteran, especially since the club is also starting UDFA rookie Krys Barnes at the other inside linebacker spot. Players like Wesley Woodyard and old friend Jake Ryan currently headline the available ILBs.
Of course he is. He’s made of paper mache
I don’t think that’s a true statement considering he played 4 seasons without a missed game. Missed a few in season 5 then had a broken collarbone in season 6 which would sideline anyone.
Missed a few in Season 5?! When has 9 games ever been considered a few?
Guys always injured, unload him as soon as you can
Having to give significant playing time to no-name UDFA’s at LB and now WR is an unfortunate side effect of almost completely ignoring those glaring needs in the draft and in free agency. Good thing they traded a 4th round pick to move up and draft a 1st round QB who will never see the field though…oh, and drastically over drafting an unneeded RB who has 7 carries so far in the 2nd round. Brilliant work, guys.
The team is undefeated and hasn’t committed a turnover but keep those gripes coming.
The Packers lack of depth goes back by a decade or more. Rodgers has carried this team since he’s been here, pretty much regardless of who was on offense. This has allowed the Packers to get by with mostly later round picks for offensive players. A lot of their good WRs were 2nd round picks, same with their linemen, 2nd round or later. They’ve done a good job in the past on hitting on those,m picks, but you can’t rely long term on constantly making paydirt on lower drafted players. The success rate is too low.
They’ve used a bunch of early picks on defense, specially in the secondary, and haven’t done a good job of hitting on those picks, resulting in them spending further picks on defensive players. Savage and Alexander are solid, but there’s three or four 1st/2nd round secondary players that were busts.
Now that lack of depth and investment in the offense and in the MLBers is showing. They also haven’t invested in the MLB position since AJ Hawk. Martinez and Ryan were later round picks. Matthews was drafted as an OLB. They need someone strong in the middle.