The Green Bay Packers may not have inside linebacker Oren Burks in September, but an early October return date is possible.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are “preparing” for Burks, who has a partially torn pectoral muscle, to miss the first four weeks of the 2019 season.
Burks originally injured his chest while attempting to tackle Houston Texans quarterback Joe Webb in the first half of the Packers’ first preseason game. The team initially believed his pectoral muscle was fully torn and season-ending surgery was required, but additional testing with specialists revealed a chance for Burks to let the injury heal on its own without surgery, opening the door for him to return at some point this season.
Burks said last week he’ll wear a harness when he returns to protect the injury. The goal now is healing and re-strengthening the area near the injury location.
The Packers are banking on a big jump this season from Burks, who the team traded up to get in the third round of the 2018 draft. He injured his shoulder during the preseason last year and was limited to reserve duty and special teams work as a rookie.
Once healthy, Burks will be the second inside linebacker in the base defense and a possible three-down player for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. He can run (4.59) and has a coverage background as a former collegiate safety.
Burks being out the first four weeks would mean missing games against the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers play the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.
