Green Bay Packers Move Linebacker to Injured Reserve

The Green Bay Packers had every reason to fear the worst when linebacker Krys Barnes was carted off the field in an air-cast during Week 1's humbling loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Though the injury is apparently not as severe as initially imagined, it will cost him at least four weeks. The team announced Tuesday it has placed Barnes on injured reserve:

#Packers sign T Caleb Jones from the practice squad to the active roster & place LB Krys Barnes on injured reserve

Roster moves 📰 https://t.co/1MrKqNij5q
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 13, 2022

The nasty-looking injury was diagnosed as a high-ankle sprain on Monday. Barnes will miss games against the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and New York Giants at the very least. De'Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker will hold down the fort at inside linebacker in his absence.

Barnes has been a crucial leader and contributor to the Packers since catching on as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He started 23 of a possible 33 games across his first two seasons but ceded his place on the depth chart to rookie first-round pick Walker this year. Barnes was still likely to pitch in on defense and special teams while backing up this year's 22nd overall pick. He played 24 total snaps before going down.