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Green Bay Packers reportedly lose Sam Barrington for season

By Keegan Matheson

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The Green Bay Packers have taken another major blow on the injury front, with starting inside linebacker Sam Barrington reportedly being lost for the season with an ankle injury. This loss hits the Green Bay Packers in an area where they can least afford to become weaker: their run defense. 

Barrington’s injury did not seem to be season-threatening at the time, and exiting this past weekend the word was that his status for the Seahawks game would be questionable. Expect the organization to update the situation soon, but clearly, things have taken an unexpected turn. After the performance put in by Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears on the ground in week one, defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be left scrambling for answers.

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The injury could cement Clay Matthews on the inside for a greater portion of his snaps, and will open the door for Nate Palmer who took over for Barrington when he exited the Chicago game. Rookie inside linebacker Jake Ryan out of Michigan will also inch closer to the field with this development.

In Barrington, the Packers lose their strongest full-time inside ‘backer whose potential against the run was a cause for optimism. Barrington is far from an elite coverage linebacker, but his short-area abilities, tackling and instincts would have made him a key focus against Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles over the next two weeks.

In the case that these reports are confirmed by the Packers, expect a corresponding move to follow soon after. James Vaughters and Carl Bradford remain on the practice squad as linebackers, though Vaughters profiles on the outside and Bradford has yet to successfully establish himself at any position within the linebacking group.

Next: Packers run defense remains very unstable after week one

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