The Green Bay Packers defense took a huge step back when pass rusher Rashan Gary suffered a knee injury in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. It was eventually diagnosed as a torn ACL, which ended his season.
Despite only appearing in nine games, Rashan Gary still finished second on the team in sacks with 6.0; Preston Smith led the way with 8.5. Looking to bolster the pass rush, the Packers did use their first-round pick on defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa.
For Green Bay to reach its potential, it will need Rashan Gary on the field. He has not practiced yet this offseason as he continues his rehab, but things seem to be moving in the right direction.
“I’ll be ready when I’ll be ready,” is what he said when asked about the timeline he is on during a press conference at minicamp this week. While Rashan Gary isn’t making any predictions about when he could get back on the field with his teammates, he is trending in the right direction.
The Michigan product is giving it 100 percent every day in his rehab, moving closer and closer to a return. He is focused on accomplishing every step of the rehab process to ensure that he is confident in his body and 100 percent ready to go when the time comes.
“One thing I told myself is throughout this process I’m taking it day by day,” Gary said, via Steve Megaree of the Associated Press. “I’m just making sure I’m squeezing the towel as much as I can every day, making sure I’m not leaving not one inch of doubt of if I pushed it to my all, so that’s all, man. Just going 100 percent day by day and we’ll see where I’ll be.”
Getting Rashan Gary back on the field will be a huge boost for the Packers’ defense. Whether it is in Week 1 or later into the 2023 season is still up for debate, but he is working diligently to ensure that it happens as soon as possible.
With no setbacks occurring, he seems to be right on track for the 10-month timespan most players have with an ACL. That would make Week 1 a realistic target for Rashan Gary to get back on the field should things continue positively.
