Report: Packers LB Jake Ryan tears ACL

Title/Alt Text — (Photo: Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)

Jake Ryan is out for the entire 2018 season. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Ryan has been diagnosed with a torn ACL and he will be out for the entire year. The injury occurred when Ryan collided with Packers rookie receiver Equanimeous St. Brown during practice on Monday.

When Ryan suffered his injury, he was screaming and pounded his fist on the ground before being carted off the field. Ryan was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round back in 2014 and has been the starting inside linebacker the last two seasons. In 2017, Ryan recorded 79 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery.

“He was just devastated,” fellow linebacker Blake Martinez said. “Obviously, he was super-excited about the season. He’s been putting a tremendous amount of work in. He’s been awesome throughout OTAs and these past four practices. It’s been good for him. It’s just really tough.”

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Ryan was considered one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the NFL in 2017. Pro Football Focus gave Ryan an overall grade of 75.7 which was the 16th highest grade for all linebackers last season. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so the Packers will have to make a tough decision on him once the 2018 season comes to an end.

Ryan was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round in 2015 out of Michigan. In his rookie season, Ryan played in 14 games with five starts and recorded 46 tackles. In 2016, Ryan started to see more action, playing in 559 snaps in 14 games with 10 starts. And he was able to improve his numbers by posting 81 tackles and three passes defended.

With Ryan gone for the year, the Packers are now thin at the linebacker position when it comes to depth. Rookie Oren Burks, who was drafted in the third round, is the likely candidate to take his place. Other candidates include Greer Martini, Ahmad Thomas and Marcus Porter. All four players mentioned have not taken a snap in an NFL game.

While the news isn't good for Ryan, the Packers were fortunate to hear that safety Kentrell Brice did not suffer a major injury to his ankle. Brice's injury also occurred on Monday and while working on special teams. He was carted off the field but the X-rays came back negative for a break. It's not known how much time Brice will miss.

The Packers signed Brice as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He was able to make the initial 53-man roster and was eventually moved to up to the backup free safety behind Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. In 16 games, Brice recorded 26 tackles and one pass defended.

Brice got to see more action in 2017 due to injuries at the safety position. He was able to start in the three of the six games he played in and he posted 23 tackles, one interception and three passes defended

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