Green Bay Packers' offensive line hit again as Billy Turner leaves with knee injury against Chica...

ByRob Demovsky ESPN logo
Sunday, December 12, 2021

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers right tackle Billy Turner injured his left knee in the second quarter of Sunday night's 45-30 win against the Chicago Bears.

When a return was ruled out, it meant the Packers were left with only one of their preferred starting offensive linemen: rookie right guard Royce Newman.

Turner limped off the field on his own but was visibly upset when he entered the medical tent.Dennis Kelly, a ninth-year veteran who was signed during training camp this summer, replaced him.

Head coach Matt LaFleur didn't have an update on Turner's injury after the game.

The Packers already were without left tackle David Bakhtiari, left guard Elgton Jenkins and center Josh Myers. Bakhtiari hasn't played this season while recovering from last year's torn ACL but still could return this season. Myers, a rookie, is still on injured reserve because of a knee injury but also could return. Jenkins is done for the season because of a torn ACL.

"We've gotten decimated, no doubt about it," LaFleur said. "But nobody's feeling sorry for us, I can promise you that, and I can tell -- I know you guys don't really care who's in there. You have an expectation for how we've got to go out there and play, and that's the mindset that we have, is it doesn't matter, you find a way to get it done."

For Kelly, this was the first time he had played on offense all season. He previously had only 21 snaps on special teams this season. However, he started all 16 games at right tackle for the Titans last season and has 47 career starts and would likely be the full-time replacement if Turner's injury keeps him out long term.

Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown also was ruled out after suffering a concussion.

Earlier in the first half, Bears left tackle Jason Peters left with an ankle injury and did not return.

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