Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers may be forced to navigate some unexpected adjustments to their offensive line rotation following a shoulder injury to first-round rookie Jordan Morgan. Selected 25th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Morgan’s promising start to his NFL career hit a snag during the Packers’ Week 2 home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
Morgan, who had previously missed the entire preseason due to a shoulder issue, was initially deemed questionable to return after the injury occurred in the first half. However, just minutes later, the Packers downgraded his status to out, raising concerns about the severity of the setback. The precise nature of Morgan’s injury remains unclear, leaving speculation as to whether he aggravated his previous shoulder issue or sustained a new injury during the game.
Before his exit, Morgan had been rotating with starter Sean Rhyan at right guard, with Morgan out-snapping Rhyan 16-12 by halftime. In Week 1’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Morgan played 28 snaps, showcasing his potential with solid performance metrics, including allowing only one quarterback hit on 19 passing downs and demonstrating effective run-blocking.
With Morgan’s future uncertain, the Packers will need to quickly devise a backup plan for their interior offensive line. Currently, Morgan is listed as a backup at both left and right guard, and the team’s depth chart features fifth-round rookie Jacob Monk as the only other non-starter guard on the active roster.
Despite the disruption caused by Morgan’s injury, the Packers’ offensive line played a pivotal role in their 16-10 victory over the Colts. The team’s commitment to the run game was evident, with the Packers rushing 53 times for an impressive average of 4.9 yards per carry. Josh Jacobs led the charge with 32 carries for 151 yards, while rookie MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson contributed valuable yards. Additionally, wide receivers Jayden Reed and Bo Melton added significant gains with their runs from the backfield.
Head coach Matt LaFleur praised the offensive line’s performance in the postgame, noting, “Fifty-three rushes, that’s what we wanted to do coming into this game. It’s one thing to want to do that, but to be able to go out there and execute that, I think that says a lot about all 11 out there, starting with the offensive line, but our backs were running hard, our receivers were blocking their butts off like they always do.”
Looking ahead, the Packers will be closely monitoring Morgan’s condition as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. If Morgan requires an extended absence, the Packers might need to consider moving starting right tackle Zach Tom inside to play guard. Tom, a 2022 fourth-round pick, has experience at guard, and while the Packers prefer to keep him at tackle, he could be a viable option if necessary. In such a scenario, the team could rely on backup tackle Kadeem Telfort or potentially veteran Andre Dillard, who was a healthy scratch in Week 2.
As the Packers navigate these challenges, their ability to adapt and maintain their offensive line effectiveness will be crucial in the coming weeks.
