Packers change injury designation on Elgton Jenkins ahead of 49ers matchup

The Green Bay Packers have officially ruled left tackle Elgton Jenkins out for their Sunday night matchup against the San Fransisco 49ers. The offensive tackle has been battling an ankle injury in hopes of playing Sunday. Unfortunately for him and the Packers, they will have to face the star-studded 49ers line without him.

Jenkins injured his ankle in Monday night’s win against the Lions. He was able to play through the injury, but that will not be the case going forward. He was filling in for the Packers All-Pro tackle David Bakhtiari; who is on IR right now recovering from offseason ACL surgery. Jenkins originally played guard but found himself repositioned to fill in for their Pro Bowler.

Coach Matt Lafleur said that the Packers have been planning all week for the possibility of Elgton Jenkins sitting out. Now that Jenkins is not able to suit up for Green Bay’s Sunday night game against the San Francisco 49ers, Yosh Nijman is the likely choice to take his place. Nijman is listed as the Packers’ third-string left tackle on their depth chart. Another option for the Packers is to move starting right tackle, Billy Turner to left tackle. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers being right-handed, the left tackle would be his blind-side protection. It would be ideal for the Packers to put their best option on the left side.

The Packers in-expirence

If it is Nijman who takes over at left tackle, it would be his first-ever NFL start. The 26-year-old went undrafted in the 2019 draft out of Virginia Tech. After going undrafted his signed with the Packers where he as remained. Last year for Green Bay, Nijman played in all 16 regular-season games and in the postseason.

The Packers’ o-line vs the 49ers’ d-line will be a battle of experience. The 49er’s defensive line still features players from their Superbowl run in 2019. And their two stars on the edge in Arik Armstead and Joey Bosa are looking forward to taking advantage of the Packer’s lack of experience. Aside from the possibility of Nijman making his first start, the Packers are starting two rookies on the offensive line in Josh Myers and Royce Newman.

Myers was the Packers’ third-round pick, selected with the 62nd pick overall. They selected Newman in the following round with the 142nd overall pick. Both performed well against the Lions on Monday night. But against the New Orleans d-line, they and the rest of the Packers’ offensive line were severely outmatched. And the 49ers are looking to make the Packers relive their week 1 nightmare, but with a California twist.