Rookie linebacker Vince Biegel hasn’t stepped foot on a field for the Green Bay Packers since May. It looks like the soonest he’ll step on the field is October.
Biegel, who had foot surgery in May, is reportedly going to start the season on the physically unable to perform list. That would mean he’ll miss at least the first six games of the regular season.
A fourth-round pick, Biegel was expected to help bolster the Packers’ pass rush. However, with today’s signing of Ahmad Brooks, that need isn’t so immediate.
That said, we’re not expecting much from Biegel at this point. Consider that Biegel hasn’t gone through training camp, played in any preseason games and won’t play in a regular season game or practice for at least six weeks.
As a rookie, that puts him at a huge disadvantage. A disadvantage in learning the Packers’ system, getting acclimated, earning playing time and contributing.
If you’re looking for Biegel to do anything, it will likely be late in the season, if at all. This could be a lost season for Biegel.
Providing the Packers’ top three outside linebackers — Clay Matthews, Nick Perry and Brooks — stay healthy, that shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, we know that’s unlikely for those first two guys.
What will be interesting is if the Packers stick with both Jayrone Elliott and Kyler Fackrell (or even former undrafted free agent Reggie Gilbert) as backups. In signing Brooks, they’ve signaled they’re not exactly happy with their depth at the outside linebacker position.
Could another move be coming?