Packers send Corey Linsley to injured reserve, elevate Braden & Dafney for game day

The Green Bay Packers have officially shut down their starting center for the next few weeks. On Saturday, the team announced that they have moved Corey Linsley to injured reserve, ensuring that he will miss at least the next three weeks. The earliest that Linsley could return will be for the Packers’ week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Linsley reportedly suffered a sprained MCL last Sunday against the Chicago Bears, leaving the game in the first half. The expected timeline for his return is between three and six weeks, so this move will allow the Packers to use an additional roster spot during that time until he is ready to return.

With Linsley missing time in each of the past two games, the Packers have gone with normal left guard Elgton Jenkins at center. The team has two feasible options there, however, as right guard Lucas Patrick could also be a candidate to fill in at center. Rookie Jon Runyan, Jr. should fill in for whichever guard moves into the middle.

The Packers now have only seven offensive linemen on the active roster, and so the team has elevated guard Ben Braden from the practice squad this weekend. Braden is being called up once again as an emergency COVID-19 replacement, eligible due to running back AJ Dillon remaining on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This is the second game that will see Braden active this season, and should serve as an emergency option only with right tackle Billy Turner moving to guard if there is an injury on the interior.

Additionally, the Packers elevated tight end Dominique Dafney as a standard practice squad gameday elevation. Dafney signed with the Packers’ practice squad in early October and Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles will be his first game on the active roster. Look for him to primarily contribute on special teams tomorrow afternoon.