Offensive lineman Don Barclay went down during practice on Tuesday with a knee injury. It’s a torn ACL, which means he’s done for the year.
After practice coach Mike McCarthy tried to sound hopeful, without much success.
“Don Barclay suffered a knee injury. It was in a blitz drill. He got himself in a bad position. He’s being evaluated. We’ll know more probably tonight. We’ll wait to see what we’re dealing with. They don’t come any better than him. I just hope it’s not serious,” McCarthy said.
Barclay remained on the ground for several minutes following the injury and eventually had to be carted off the field.
Clearly, the Packers have solved their hamstring injury woes, but they’ve now been cursed with the knee injury. Barclay’s knee injury follows those of receiver Jared Abbrederis, who’s out for the season, and tight end Colt Lyerla, who’s out several weeks.
A round of knee injuries all around! On the house!
Now, despite all of the praise that’s been lavished on Barclay, he’s no longer a starter.
He started 14 games in 2013 in place of Bryan Bulaga, who was out with his own knee injury, and four games in 2012. This year, Barclay was pushed back into a backup role because, as you know, the Packers don’t make anyone earn their starting jobs through open competition.
So, not all is lost. The starting five remains the same and the door for the top backup spot is now wide open for former first-round pick Derek Sherrod, who, perhaps ironically, is a walking injury himself.