Just as Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported earlier this month, Green Bay Packers linebacker Oren Burks does not need season-ending surgery on his injured pectoral muscle and is expected to play in 2019, possibly even soon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Burks, a starter at linebacker next to Blake Martinez, suffered the injury in the first half of the Packers’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans.
Despite initial concerns that Burks would need surgery to correct the issue, further testing on the injury revealed a chance for the second-year linebacker to avoid an operation and play again this season.
It’s confirmation of good news for the Packers, who are hurting at inside linebacker. Burks and backup Curtis Bolton both suffered injuries this preseason.
Rapoport believes Burks may not even need a stint on IR. Either way, Burks will be on the Packers’ initial 53-man roster.
GM Brian Gutekunst made Burks a third-round pick in last year’s draft. He played mostly on special teams as a rookie but is expected to give Mike Pettine’s defense a potential three-down player in 2019.
