Star Pass Rusher Downgraded at Packers Practice

The Green Bay Packers defense took an unexpected hit at Thursday's practice. Edge rusher Rashan Gary was downgraded to a limited participant following a toe injury, and head coach Matt LaFleur expressed concern about the star's availability for Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

Matt LaFleur on Rashan Gary’s toe injury that kept him limited in yesterday’s practice:

“Definitely a little concerned about that.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 14, 2022

Gary played his typical snaps in the Packers' Week 5 loss to the New York Giants, so the injury likely occurred at some point during practice Wednesday or Thursday. If he turns out to be unavailable, the team will rely on some combination of Kingsley Enagbare and Jonathan Garvin to replace his snaps.

Gary had been off to a scorching start to the season, notching at least one sack in all four games before Week 5 and recovering a fumble. The fourth-year player also led the team in sacks and quarterback hits in 2021.

😤 @RashanAGary 😤

SACK! #GBvsTB | #GoPackGo

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/TPJ68TfuUC
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 25, 2022

Gary joined the Packers as the 12th overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft. After enduring premature declarations that he was a bust in his first two years, he broke out in his third season, tallying 9.5 sacks and earning an elite 89.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He's been arguably the most productive player on a defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest yards in the league this season.