Packers' Jake Ryan confirmed to have torn ACL, will miss 2018 season

It's a rough day for the Green Bay Packers today. Reports out of 1265 Lombardi Avenue indicate that inside linebacker Jake Ryan has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and that he will miss the entirety of the 2018 season as a result.

This is a painful blow for the Packers' defense, which was counting on Ryan to be one of the main contributors at the second inside linebacker spot next to Blake Martinez. Ryan also has played a significant role on special teams in the past. Rookie Orem Burks will likely get the first shot at starter's reps to replace Ryan, but no other I side linebackers on the roster have NFL game experience.

For Ryan, this injury comes at an awful time in his career. This season is the final year of his rookie contract, and he will be an unrestricted free agent next March. With Martinez taking over one of the spots inside and Burks being chosen with a day-two draft pick, Ryan likely needed to play well this year to keep him firmly in the Packers' plans for the long term.

For now, Ryan will most likely go on injured reserve and remain with the team through the season before free agency arrives for him.