Paul Bretl | 1/9/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Back on the practice field for the first time in several weeks on Wednesday for the Packers was linebacker Quay Walker, who had been sidelined since exiting the Seattle game in Week 15 with an ankle injury.
Walker was a limited participant, however, on Monday, Matt LaFleur did say that he was “optimistic” that Walker could potentially return for Sunday’s playoff game, although he did add the caveat that they’ll have to see how he looks throughout the week at practice.
“They’re really good football players, so if they’re able to go, we’ll certainly have a plan for them,” said LaFleur about reacclimating Walker and Evan Williams if they can play. “And they’ve been working all along in terms of just staying sharp mentally. They always do a great job of standing back behind the play and, you know, doing what they can.”
Prior to suffering that ankle injury, Walker was playing his best football of the season, sparked by the growing comfort he was gaining operating as the Mike linebacker in Jeff Hafley’s system, and with that came an avalanche of confidence.
Hit like and subscribe to my YouTube Channel ‘Paul Bretl’ for more Packers coverage.
From Weeks 12-14, in addition to calling the plays, making pre-snap adjustments and making sure that every one is set properly, once the ball was snapped, he did a little bit of everything for this Green Bay defense. During that span of three games, Walker generated the second most quarterback pressures of any linebacker in the NFL.
In addition to that, his 20 tackles were tied for the fifth-most, and while tackles can sometimes be a misleading stat, the 11 stops that he generated on those tackles–the seventh-most among linebackers during those three games–shows the quality of those plays.
“I think he was progressing at that point also and playing some good football, right about the time he got hurt,” said linebackers coach Anthony Campanile. “I thought it was a steady progression for him, he made a jump I would say at that point in the year. I think he was just starting to see it really well. In the room, I think he’s done everything he can do. He’s all over it. Answering questions, totally immersed and locked into the game plan.
“That’s something that kind of speaks to the character of the guy, too. Even the games he hasn’t played in, he’s in the room, answering questions, calling it out, playing the plays through on the screen just like he’s out there as he normally would be.”
Having Walker back in the mix with that level of play on Sunday in Philadelphia would be an obvious big boost for the Packers’ defense in a few different ways.
One would be in the run game with the Packers facing the difficult task of having to slow Saquon Barkley. This season, Barkley eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in only 16 games, he averaged nearly 6.0 yards per rush, and as I’m sure you can guess from the numbers, was the best at generating explosive runs.
Perhaps the biggest improvement that the Packers’ defense has seen in Hafley’s first year s defensive coordinator is their run defense, which finished the regular season ranked third in yards per carry surrendered. And while any success in that regard begins in the trenches with the interior defensive line, defending the run at a high level takes all 11 players, and the linebackers play a very important role in that.
Again, during that stretch of high-level play from Walker, we saw him filling gaps at the line of scrimmage, shedding blocks, and getting horizontal to cut-off those outside runs before the ball carrier could turn upfield.
“I think these guys are totally bought into what we’re teaching,” said Campanile about the run defense. “I firmly believe that there’s a progression each play. Your eyes, your feet, your hands, and then there’s got to be a violent finish. That’s how every football play should start and end. If your eyes are right and you’ll feet will be right, you’ll get there, and your hands will buy you time.
“That’s some of the fundamental things about defending the run, those are essential. Your body position, where your feet are, not compromising your base, playing with great hands and technique, pad level. Some people talk about those things, but you’ve got to drill those things every day, almost like to the point where it’s a martial art.”
Walker’s possible return could also provide an impact in the passing game, specifically over the middle of the field where the Packers’ defense has been picked apart at times this season. Most recently that occurred against Minnesota, where quarterback Sam Darnold completed 85% of this passes for 289 yards with two touchdowns.
As described here, there were numerous factors at play that contributed to those numbers for the Vikings’ offense. However, part of that equation on the Packers’ end were some coverage miscues from the linebackers. As LaFleur put it, there was a lack of depth from the second-level defenders. Not to mention that simply having Walker’s speed and athleticism on the field can help potentially close some of those throwing lanes or limit YAC opportunities for the offense.
As of now, we will see how the remainder of the week unfolds for Walker, but against a high-powered Eagles’ offense, having his presence in the middle of the field could be an important element for this Packers defense, especially when paired with Edgerrin Cooper. The version of Walker described above and the current version that we’ve seen from Cooper in recent weeks, haven’t yet been on the field together this season.
“Feels good,” said fellow linebacker Edgerrin Cooper about having Walker back at practice. “Hoping that he’s feeling good to be out there and we trying to go from there.”