The Green Bay Packers will face the best defensive lineman in football on Sunday, and they have to do it without their top two offensive linemen. Elgton Jenkins suffered a torn ACL on Sunday is out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, David Bakhtiari’s return is not imminent, paving the way for Aaron Donald to have a big game.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle has already logged 6.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hits in 2021. According to Pro Football Focus, Donald has also totaled 42 pressures total, which ranks 14th in the NFL. He is also the second-highest graded run defender among defensive linemen.
It’s been another dominant year for Donald, who just won his third Defensive Player of the Year Award last season.
Donald will get the chance to face a vulnerable Packers line on Sunday. With Elgton Jenkins sidelined, Yosh Nijman is expected to take his place at left tackle. He will start alongside Jon Runyan, a second-year guard out of Michigan. Lucas Patrick has started the last five games at center, filling in for rookie Josh Myers. Green Bay’s fourth-round selection Royce Newman has started every game this season. Billy Turner provides the most experience at right tackle.
While the protection hasn’t been as good as in years past, the Packers are still sitting comfortably with an 8-3 record. Los Angeles, 7-3, are licking their wounds from back-to-back losses to the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.
Los Angeles is eager to get back in the win column and also seek revenge for last year’s loss to Green Bay in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Packers’ offensive line will look a little different as Turner and Patrick are the only two linemen who started in that game.
While battling a severe rib injury, Donald had his worst game of the season against Green Bay. PFF gave him a defensive rating of 53.8, his lowest since his rookie season. Donald finished with just one tackle and recorded only a single pressure as the Packers went on to win 32-18.
Donald was visibly emotional on the sidelines.
Aaron Donald is emotional on the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/lgrMRLtQZ9
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 17, 2021
It is safe to say you can expect a vengeful performance from Donald on Sunday.