Packers rookie ILB Kamal Martin, who was in the mix to start Week 1, is undergoing knee surgery and is expected to miss several weeks, sources told ESPN. It's not season ending, but it's a setback. https://t.co/QBZ4lXmmTc
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 2, 2020
The Green Bay Packers know they need better play from their inside linebackers this season, but that position group just took a hit this week. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, rookie Kamal Martin needs knee surgery and is expected to miss several weeks as a result.
He was in the mix to be a starter at inside linebacker next to Christian Kirksey, but his rise up the depth chart has hit a snag.
This isn’t a devastating blow to the linebacker unit, but it’s certainly going to have an effect on the defense. Martin has played well in training camp and was seemingly outperforming his draft status as a fifth-round pick.
After missing a big chunk of the 2019 season at Minnesota due to a knee injury, his draft stock slid all the way to Day 3, though his talent level is more along the lines of a second- or third-round player.
Fortunately, the Packers did add Kirksey this offseason, but Martin’s absence will be felt and will require Green Bay’s other inside linebackers to step up in his place.
