Packers’ rookie LB Oren Burks set to make debut Sunday

Green Bay’s defense took a blow in the third preseason game with then potential starting rookie LB Oren Burks went down with a shoulder injury in practice before the game. This subsequently left him out of the final preseason game and the first two regular season games as well. Now, Burks’ injury is nearly 100% healed and he was listed as an estimated full participant for Wednesday in Green Bay and fully participated in Thursday’s indoor practice.

Mike McCarthy said during his weekly press conference that he wants to ease him in. Possibly only using him on special teams mostly and maybe a few snaps on defense as well. Burks is still projected to take injured LB Jake Ryan’s place on defense alongside third-year starter Blake Martinez.

Drafted in April of 2018 out of Vanderbilt, Burks has the size and athleticism to be a starting caliber LB in the NFL. One of the biggest reasons he was drafted was because of his coverage skills. He may be used in coverage Sunday on Washington’s RB Chris Thompson, who’s the NFL’s leader in catches.

Burks has shown plenty of talent and physicality when on the field in the preseason, let’s hope it translates into his regular season debut.

#ParkerMoes @ParkerMoes  #DHPF @DieHardPackrFan