Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t been ready to set a timeline for Elgton Jenkins’ official return to the field, and he doesn’t predetermine the position he’ll ultimately play, but the Pro Bowler does being removed from the PUP list certainly offers a more optimistic outlook for the Packers offensive line going into the regular season.
Jenkins, who tore his ACL in week 11 last year, came off the PUP list and trained in limited capacity on Sunday.
“That’s going to be a big boost when he’s completely free to help us,” LaFleur said Sunday. “There aren’t many people who are as talented as he is, but also as versatile as he is. You can place him anywhere on this line.”
Jenkins, a 2020 Pro Bowler on the alert, now has about a month to prepare for the week one opener against the Minnesota Vikings. At least Jenkins, being delisted from the PUP list, now opens the door for it to begin at one point along the 9/11 offensive line at US Bank Stadium.
LaFleur said “everything is on the table” regarding his return.
“This is the next step and we’re excited to get him back out as an individual and to be able to do some walkthrough stuff,” said LaFleur.
LaFleur and the Packers will have options.
In the preseason opener, the starting offense consisted of Yosh Nijman at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Jake Hanson at right guard and Royce Newman at right tackle. The starting five – and rookie Zach Tom – all played well enough ahead of Jordan Love to open training camp after some rough patches.
Once Jenkins is back in the herd, any of the following options make sense:
– Jenkins could play left tackle, moving Nijman to the right flank and moving Newman inside to right guard.
– Jenkins was able to play the right tackle and move Newman inside to guard.
– Jenkins could play right guard, allowing Newman or Tom to play right tackle.
– Jenkins could play left guard and bring Runyan to right guard.
Offensive tackle is the more valuable position, and Jenkins proved he can play at a high level on the fringes when he started eight games in left tackle last season. The team’s awaited return of David Bakhtiari – and Nijman’s confidence on the left – suggests the right might suit him best. But if Tom develops into a capable tackle option, Jenkins could go back in where he was dominant to start his NFL career.
It’s all a waiting game now. The Packers don’t need to rush the process, but there’s a certain appeal to having Jenkins in the lineup for the first week in Minnesota.
“He’ll be ready when he’s ready. We’re not going to push him back, I’ll tell you that right now,” LaFleur said.