Biegel, Goodson to Pup, Linsley Cleared to Practice

Just before the start of training camp, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was sure to deliver some good news with the bad.

Fourth-round draft pick Vince Biegel will indeed begin training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list after having foot surgery in May. It's important to note that Biegel also suffered significant knee injuries in November of 2016 during his final season at Wisconsin.

The Packers took a chance and selected Biegel anyways, who played opposite fan-favorite T.J. Watt, now a Steeler.

McCarthy noted that the injury to Biegel is unfortunate due to the departures of Julius Peppers at Datone Jones, who played a combined 1,135 defensive snaps in 2016. The Packers don't run deep at outside linebacker and are in clear need of generating pass rush with Clay Matthews and Nick Perry leading the charge. Jayrone Elliott and Kyler Fackrell create an efficient sub-package. Outside of Reggie Gilbert, now entering his second year, there's a lot of undrafted rookies in the wing.

For what it's worth, Biegel seemed to bike to Ray Nitschke Field this morning just fine. 

Biegel is expected to be back in "couple weeks" and lacks an approximate timetable, however, he's joined by cornerback Demetri Goodson.

Goodson is the Packers' special teams ace and contributed briefly on defense last season before suffering a gruesome knee injury against the Redskins. He's expected to start the season on the PUP list, as well as training camp alongside Biegel.

The up-in-the-air status for Goodson opens the door for Jeff Janis on special teams, who is arguably the team's best gunner on punt coverage.

On a brighter note, McCarthy said that center Corey Linsley is expected to be a full-go for the team's first practice on Thursday.

Linsley was also expected to begin training camp on the PUP list after having ankle surgery over the offseason. He didn't have any red flags with his physical, so the Packers will go into camp with all five starting offensive linemen intact along with their depth. 

After starting center J.C. Tretter suffered a knee injury last season, Linsley took over and started the final nine games of the season including the playoffs. Tretter, who hit free agency, ended up signing with the Browns. At the moment, the Packers don't have a viable backup center option other than Don Barclay, who is fluent with playing all five positions along the offensive line.

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (18)

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dobber's picture

July 27, 2017 at 08:34 am

"Linsley cleared to practice"

I think all of Packer nation let out a collective sigh of relief.

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egbertsouse's picture

July 27, 2017 at 08:48 am

Especially Aaron Rodgers!

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Matt Weiske's picture

July 27, 2017 at 09:33 am

Is it there any way the Packers can be any better than incredibly average and efficient on D and not let the offense and Packers nation down time after time?

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Matt Weiske's picture

July 27, 2017 at 09:33 am

Is it there any way the Packers can be any better than incredibly average and efficient on D and not let the offense and Packers nation down time after time?

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ShanghaiKid's picture

July 27, 2017 at 09:53 am

No.

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Finwiz's picture

July 27, 2017 at 09:54 am

Yeah, good luck. Don't hold your breath. It's the same D- coordinator.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 27, 2017 at 10:01 am

"incredibly average" would be a big improvement.

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Since'61's picture

July 27, 2017 at 08:31 pm

Not is they start Gunther as one of the boundary corners. He makes any and every opposing QB look like Johnny Unitas. He can't cover NFL receivers. Thanks, Since '61

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Spock's picture

July 28, 2017 at 01:54 am

Since '61, we will continue to disagree on Gunther. Is he a number one CB? Heck no, but he has the technique to go up against the "less speedy" receivers out there and his coaches have admitted they put him in an untenable situation last season. I like a high effort guy who gives it all even when over matched. I believe, if used correctly, Gunther should be fine this year. Well training camp should sort that out. :)

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Cartwright's picture

July 27, 2017 at 10:14 am

Don't know why we drafted a guy at a position of need with an injury history to the knee and foot. I guess the Justin Harell experience doesn't count. I hope we don't regret not having taking TJ Watt like we regret not having taken Barry Sanders for Tony Mandarich. Remember that one.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 27, 2017 at 10:31 am

What a crap comment. Justin Harrell's broken ankle in college and premature return from it have nothing to do with the back injury that ended his pro career. And TJ Watt has had knee injuries too.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 28, 2017 at 02:46 pm

Maybe so, but I wonder if GB knew Biegel was going to miss all of OTAs and minicamp, part of TC and at least one and probably two preseason games, maybe more, when we drafted him?

I thought Biegel was a late 4th/early 5th round value, but since there were so few OLBs still available when we took him at #108 (just Lawson and Ebukam, neither of whom I liked much), I got on board with the Biegel pick. I think he might be destined to play ILB at the NFL level.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 27, 2017 at 10:36 am

I read it as Barclay is effluent with playing all 5 positions along the OL. I double checked and it's:

"Don Barclay, who is fluent with playing all five positions along the offensive line."

My bad.

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Johnblood27's picture

July 27, 2017 at 11:14 am

you had it right the first time Rey

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4zone's picture

July 27, 2017 at 12:03 pm

I'd hardly call Barclay fluid at any position.

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Packer_Fan's picture

July 27, 2017 at 06:00 pm

The Biegel injury is worrisome to me. Not alot of depth for OLB. Does GB need to pick up a low priced veteran? Because this is one of the positions that if another injury occurs to Perry or Matthews, there isn't sufficient depth to go around.

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Packer_Fan's picture

July 27, 2017 at 06:00 pm

The Biegel injury is worrisome to me. Not alot of depth for OLB. Does GB need to pick up a low priced veteran? Because this is one of the positions that if another injury occurs to Perry or Matthews, there isn't sufficient depth to go around.

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NickPerry's picture

July 27, 2017 at 06:59 pm

Not just yes but HELL YES on the picking up a veteran OLB.

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