Paul Bretl | 12/10/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Dealing with injuries at the safety position against Detroit on Thursday, the Packers went off-script, and called upon Zayne Anderson to fill in next to Xavier McKinney.
“I thought he did a nice job,” said Matt LaFleur on Monday. “I think after the first drive, he kind of settled in and just did his responsibilities and did it at a high level.”
Evan Williams would exit the game in the first half, and following halftime, he was ruled out with a concussion. Rather than moving Javon Bullard from the nickel to safety, the Packers opted to keep Bullard in the slot and Keisean Nixon on the boundary.
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If you recall, Williams also exited the Packers’ game against Jacksonville earlier this season as well. In that contest, Green Bay would move Bullard from the nickel to safety, where he would take some lumps.
A few days later, when speaking with the media, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley described how difficult of a transition that move from the slot to safety can be in the middle of a game, especially for a rookie who hadn’t taken any safety reps in practice that week.
My guess is that wanting to maintain as much continuity as possible in the secondary was the catalyst behind the decision to go with Anderson, but most importantly, the team was confident that he could handle what was being added to his plate.
“It’s next man up mentality,” Anderson said at his locker. “Coaches do a great job of preparing everybody for when their number’s called. I got on the phone with R.D., our safeties coach, and he’s like, ‘You’re ready. Let’s go. You prepared for this. Let’s go out and let it rock.’ So, we did just that.”
Anderson played 53 snaps against Detroit, most of which came as the free safety. He would make all three of his tackle attempts, according to PFF, and wasn’t targeted at all in coverage.
One of those tackles came at a pivotal point, with Detroit facing a 3rd-and-1 at the Green Bay 21-yard line with 1:27 left in the game. Jared Goff would hand the ball off to David Montgomery, who was met at the line of scrimmage by Anderson, who fought his way through blockers and into the backfield, forcing a fourth-down play.
“Haf called a great call for us. Just go out and executed it. We needed a big stop there. It was third-and-inches and make a play.”
This is now Anderson’s second season with the Packers and he’s played only 75 total defensive snaps during that span. Over his four-year career, he’s played a total of just 82 defensive snaps.
“It’s what you work for,” said Anderson. “It’s been a long time coming. When the opportunity comes, you gotta take advantage of it. Tried to put my best foot forward. Like I said, some things to clean up. There’s some plays out there and move forward.”
Instead, it’s been special teams that have been Anderson’s bread and butter. This season specifically, Anderson has played 221 special teams snaps, the second-most on the team, contributing regularly across four different phases. His nine tackles are the most on this Packers team by a wide margin and are tied for the fourth-most in the NFL.
Next up for the Packers is a Sunday night matchup with Seattle, and at least at this stage of the week, there are injury unknowns in the secondary. As of Monday, LaFleur said that Williams was still in concussion protocol, while he called Bullard, who exited the game late with an ankle injury, “week to week.”
So depending on Williams’ status in particular, the Packers may have to call on Anderson once again this week.
“It’s just every week, and all the guys in the safety room overprepare,” said Anderson about his preparation each week. “Like I said, you never know when your number is gonna be called. It could be fourth or fifth on the depth chart and you have to prepare like you’re the starter. When the opportunity comes, it’s not shake. It’s just go.”