The Packers’ biggest defensive play of the game also resulted in significant and not so positive implications for the Green Bay defense moving forward. On a third and goal play late in the fourth quarter and the Packers up 31-21, Micah Parsons barreled through the middle of the Lions’ offensive line to sack Jared Goff and force a field goal. On that same play, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt suffered an ankle injury, the result of teammate Warren Brinson rolling up over the leg, that ended in him leaving the field on a golf cart.
Postgame, Matt LaFleur‘s high spirits over the victory were dampened by a disheartening diagnosis for Wyatt’s future this season.
Wyatt injury delivers gutcheck amid triumph
“Yeah, it doesn’t look good, guys,” LaFleur told reporters. “I’m sick for him. I’m sick for us. I mean, that’s a critical loss for our football team, for our defense, obviously. I can’t say enough great things about him in terms of just watching him mature, not only as a football player, as a person.”
Dec 24, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles as Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (95) defends in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
In year four for Green Bay, Wyatt has in many ways had a breakout season, an important presence in the teeth of the defense and a boost to the pass rush (four sacks in 10 games before Thursday. Now the Packers will have to forge ahead without him after what looked for all the world like a season-ending incident.
“I’ve got a lot of love for Devonte Wyatt,” his head coach continued, “and I think the whole locker room does, too. So it’s a little bittersweet, I would say. Yeah, we’re happy about the win, but at the same time, we’re sick about what happened to him.”
If Wyatt is indeed done for the year, getting back Lukas Van Ness and Quay Walker will be all the more crucial to fortify the front lines, in Week 14 against the Bears and beyond.
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