Ty’Ron Hopper Ruled Out With a Chest Injury, and the Packers’ Linebacker Depth is Absolutely Cooked

Will linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper has been officially ruled out of the Green Bay Packers’ matchup against the New England Patriots after suffering a chest injury. This isn’t just a tough break for Hopper, it is a huge problem for a linebacker group already scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The Linebacker Room is a MASH Unit

This injury is a major hit to the Packers’ already depleted linebacker corps. Hopper was stepping up as the starting Will linebacker today because both starting Mike linebacker Zaire Franklin and starting Will linebacker Edgerrin Cooper were already unavailable, with Cooper on injured reserve. Hopper initially left the game listed as questionable, but after being pulled completely, he’s now out, plain and simple.

His absence forced Isaiah McDuffie, who is usually the team’s third linebacker option, into the Mike linebacker spot. With Hopper gone, the next man up at Will linebacker is Nick Niemann, who primarily plays special teams. The only other linebacker sitting on the bench for the Packers right now is Kristian Welch, another special teams specialist who actually started the regular season on the practice squad.

Other Key Injuries Piling Up

It’s not just Hopper either. The Packers are also dealing with other crucial injuries in this game. Safety Javon Bullard has been seen in and out of the lineup, getting looked at on the sideline. Running back Josh Jacobs is battling a hand injury and is currently listed as questionable to return, having already made three trips to the locker room.

With Hopper out, Niemann ended up playing 28 snaps by halftime, compared to Hopper’s mere two before exiting. Green Bay is going to need every bit of fight they have to hold onto a lead, relying heavily on a fifth-string linebacker to handle a full slate of special teams snaps *on top* of his defensive duties. This is a real test of their depth.

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Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.