Packers’ Bryan Bulaga Smart to Shut it Down After ACL Tear

Jul 26, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga takes a break during opening day of training camp at Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It was revealed early in the week that Green Bay Packers offensive tackle  Bryan Bulaga had suffered a torn ACL in practice, which placed his 2013 season in doubt.

Despite the gruesome injury, Bulaga had planned on playing through it, instead moving the surgery to repair the damage to after the season.

Not anymore.

PFT reports Bulaga has instead decided to shut things down:

"Per a league source, Dr. Andrews has recommended surgery to repair the ACL tear suffered early in Saturday night’s intra-squad scrimmage.  The surgery will happen when the swelling subsides, with a tentative target of next week.Bulaga, to his credit, was hoping to find a way to play.  He continued to play (practice) on Saturday after suffering the injury, and the guy is wired to find a way to suit up and earn his money."

Fellow Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton agrees with Bulaga’s decision to shut it down for the year:

"“If he does try to go? I would think he’s stupid,” Sitton said, via Scott Venci of theGreen Bay Press-Gazette. “He’s got a career to worry about. It’s not just about this year when you have something like that, so it would be dumb.”"

We’re inclined to agree with Sitton. Not only does Bulaga have the rest of his career to think about, he could potentially be doing his team a disservice by continuing to play while hurt. Playing tackle with a torn ACL is not the same as playing guard with one—tackle required much more lateral agility and finesse—something a torn ACL seriously inhibits.

Bulaga is making the right move for a multitude of reasons.

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