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Injuries are a part of professional football, but winning at the highest levels requires the best from a team's best players, and a series of unfortunate early season injuries might have capped the ceiling of the Green Bay Packers in 2024.
The good news is each player is healthy entering 2025, and rebounds from injury could help power real improvement.
The bad luck started early. Not only did the Packers eventually lose star cornerback Jaire Alexander to a knee injury midway through the season, but four other important players -- quarterback Jordan Love, defensive lineman Kenny Clark, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness -- suffered injuries early in the season and dealt with the aftereffects for most of the year.
Love injured his knee on the Packers' final drive of Week 1 in Brazil, Clark injured his foot and toe at some point during Week 1, Wyatt injured his ankle in Week 4 and Van Ness broke his thumb during the offseason workout program and needed a protective cast for most of the season.
Love admitted the knee injury was an issue throughout the season, especially after suffering a midseason groin injury, and he was less accurate and far less mobile for most of the year.
Clark admitted his injury affected him "a lot" throughout a disappointing season on the production front, and he eventually needed surgery on his foot after the Packers' season ended in January.
Wyatt was a pass-rushing force early, got injury in Week 4 and labored through most of the season before taking off again over the final month. What looked like a breakout season forming was stunted and never really happened.
Van Ness needed a cast on his right hand for almost three months into the regular season, and he admitted not having two fully functioning hands affected his play as a second-year player along the defensive line. Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire highlighted how improved Van Ness was during the second half of 2024, aligning with his cast being removed.
Again, players must play throughout injuries in the NFL. It's part of the job description. But some injuries can cap the ceiling of a player's performance, and it's fair to say four important players on Matt LaFleur's team were affected to a notable degree during the 2024 season.
Can the four rebound in 2025?
Love is the most important player on the roster. Clark is a multi-year Pro Bowler who plays an increasingly important position. Wyatt had his fifth-year option picked up for 2026, and the Packers need him to be an impact pass-rusher. Van Ness is entering a huge third season and has a chance to finally breakout.
Alexander's status on the roster is unknown, but his return could provide a huge boost, especially if he's healthier in 2025 than in recent years.
The Packers still finished 11-6 and made the playoffs in 2024, but six combined losses to the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles highlighted the gap between good and great in the NFC. Can internal improvement from players rebounding from injury help close the gap? Love, Clark, Wyatt and Van Ness all hold the keys to true improvement for the Packers in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Early season injuries lingered and hurt Packers in 2024
Continue reading...
The good news is each player is healthy entering 2025, and rebounds from injury could help power real improvement.
The bad luck started early. Not only did the Packers eventually lose star cornerback Jaire Alexander to a knee injury midway through the season, but four other important players -- quarterback Jordan Love, defensive lineman Kenny Clark, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness -- suffered injuries early in the season and dealt with the aftereffects for most of the year.
Love injured his knee on the Packers' final drive of Week 1 in Brazil, Clark injured his foot and toe at some point during Week 1, Wyatt injured his ankle in Week 4 and Van Ness broke his thumb during the offseason workout program and needed a protective cast for most of the season.
Love admitted the knee injury was an issue throughout the season, especially after suffering a midseason groin injury, and he was less accurate and far less mobile for most of the year.
Clark admitted his injury affected him "a lot" throughout a disappointing season on the production front, and he eventually needed surgery on his foot after the Packers' season ended in January.
Wyatt was a pass-rushing force early, got injury in Week 4 and labored through most of the season before taking off again over the final month. What looked like a breakout season forming was stunted and never really happened.
Van Ness needed a cast on his right hand for almost three months into the regular season, and he admitted not having two fully functioning hands affected his play as a second-year player along the defensive line. Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire highlighted how improved Van Ness was during the second half of 2024, aligning with his cast being removed.
Again, players must play throughout injuries in the NFL. It's part of the job description. But some injuries can cap the ceiling of a player's performance, and it's fair to say four important players on Matt LaFleur's team were affected to a notable degree during the 2024 season.
Can the four rebound in 2025?
Love is the most important player on the roster. Clark is a multi-year Pro Bowler who plays an increasingly important position. Wyatt had his fifth-year option picked up for 2026, and the Packers need him to be an impact pass-rusher. Van Ness is entering a huge third season and has a chance to finally breakout.
Alexander's status on the roster is unknown, but his return could provide a huge boost, especially if he's healthier in 2025 than in recent years.
The Packers still finished 11-6 and made the playoffs in 2024, but six combined losses to the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles highlighted the gap between good and great in the NFC. Can internal improvement from players rebounding from injury help close the gap? Love, Clark, Wyatt and Van Ness all hold the keys to true improvement for the Packers in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Early season injuries lingered and hurt Packers in 2024
Continue reading...
