Quay Walker is the big news on this week’s excel spreadsheet of injuries:
The return of Quay Walker is huge, especially given the heartbreaking season ending injury of Devonte Wyatt. The Packers need Walker to be key piece in defending against the Bearsʼ potent run game.
Replacing Devonte Wyatt
Wyatt was arguably Green Bay’s most reliable interior presence, playing 379 snaps this season with 27 tackles, 4 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss before his season ending ankle injury.
If you want to see the difference he makes, take a look back at the Cardinals and Bengals games in October where he was off the field due to a knee injury. His absence was more than noticeable.
With Wyatt out for the season, the Packers lose not just a disruptive pass rusher, but a defender whose size and strength helped plug running lanes and collapse the pocket.
The Packers recently signed Jordon Riley from the Giants’ practice squad. However, this is a depth signing at best and not going to be an immediate “replacement” for Wyatt. Instead, Green Bay’s defensive line must rely on less-proven players and rookies like Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, or rotational guys like Karl Brooks.
The drop-off inside makes it much easier for a team like the Bears to run at will, exploit gaps, and break big plays.
Watch for Edgerrin Cooper to play a major role in holding down that second line of defense. Cooper and Quay as a linebacker tandem might be about the best in the league, and the Packers will need them to shore up that interior threat this week.
Quay Walker Tackle Ranger
Bringing Walker back to the middle solidifies a sideline-to-sideline presence with experience diagnosing runs, filling gaps, and cleaning up breakdowns.
Quay Walker’s mobility and instincts make him one of the few players on the roster who can both set the tone against inside runs and react to cutbacks or outside runs. A dual role that becomes vital when your defensive line might get pushed off the point of attack. He’s also done a lot of work in the last couple of years on his mentals, and has shown a lot of restraing in maturity vs that infamous locker room walk after being ejected….
Back On The Mic
Quay is also the green dot mic when on the field, so his return should bolster communication and coordination for the squad.
Walker being a full go turns what could be a total meltdown due to Wyatt’s absence, into a fragile but manageable battle front. If Walker and the Packers’ second-level play aggressively and assignment-sound, they can keep the Bears’ run game from becoming the kind of clock-chewing, field-tilting force that wins games.
Caleb vs Miach & Final Predictions
I just couldn’t help but acknowledge as well that the cat and mouse game that we will get to watch between Micah Parsons and Caleb Williams is going to be epic to say the least!
The leagues oldest and spiciest rivalry carries HEAVY divisional and playoff implications. The Bears rolling with Ben Johnson at the helm. I think this is going to be a tight game, with the Packers walking away victorious 27-24. Get the blood pressure meds ready, it’s Bear Week!
I believe my buddy Charlie Berens’ merch best expresses how Packer Nation feels heading into Sunday.
Watch the Packers in person this season by getting your tickets from Ticket King. Click the image below and avoid using those national chains like Seat Geek and StubHub. Use a Wisconsin based business for all your Packers ticket needs!
The post Packers ILB Quay Walker Return Brings Hope After Heartbreaking Injury first appeared on PackersTalk.com Blog Posts and Podcasts.