GREEN BAY − Elgton Jenkins’ season is likely over after leaving the Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a fractured fibula. Whether the Green Bay Packers’ experiment with him at center follows suit remains to be seen.
LaFleur said it’s “highly unlikely” Jenkins − who was placed on injured reserved this week − will play again this season.
“It’s a shame,” LaFleur said, “because, shoot, he was one of the first guys we drafted when I got here. Just been through a lot with him. Obviously, a lot of great moments. It’s a shame because he’s one of our real leaders on our team.”
Jenkins slid over from his usual left guard position this offseason, a place he was twice selected to a Pro Bowl. The Packers offensive line’s leader missed the offseason program after the team decided to make the move, a reaction to letting prior center Josh Myers leave in free agency, but Jenkins started all nine games this season.
Sean Rhyan, who replaced Jenkins against the Eagles, will remain the team’s starting center when it travels to the New York Giants this week.
“I thought he did a pretty good job,” LaFleur said.
Rhyan, a former third-round draft pick, is a rugged run blocker who has mostly played guard. He started all 17 games at right guard last season and four games this season but has trained during the offseason at center. While Rhyan occasionally struggles against quickness in pass protection, his power in the run game might provide more push for running back Josh Jacobs.
LaFleur said he was especially pleased with how Rhyan handled the snap operation.
“I think anytime just you have a new center coming in,” LaFleur said, “you’re most concerned about the operation. I thought our operation was pretty clean in terms of the quarterback-center exchange. I thought there were some things offensively the operation wasn’t good enough, but in regards to his ability and what he’s responsible for, the communication and just making sure we’re getting the ball back to the quarterback, I thought he did a good job of that.”
For Jenkins, the long-term question is whether he’ll remain the starting center in 2026. His transition was expected to be smooth, but he did not bolster the offensive line as expected. After a Week 3 loss at Cleveland, Jenkins bluntly said he was “playing like (expletive).” Coaches said his play improved after, but the offensive line has been the Packers’ biggest weakness at the season’s midway point.
LaFleur offered his approval for how Jenkins handled the new position this season.
“I think he did a really good job,” LaFleur said, “and I think the more he played, the more comfortable he got in that position. It’s just an unfortunate deal.”
Here’s other takeaways from LaFleur’s Nov. 12 press conference:
Packers plan to get Matthew Golden back in the mix this week
Packers rookie receiver Matthew Golden dropped out of the team’s Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers and was ruled out of the following game against the Eagles due to a shoulder injury.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the team went through a walk through practice Nov. 11, and plan to have Golden in the mix this week in practice.
“We’ll try to integrate him back into practice and see where he’s at,” LaFleur said.
Also at receiver, LaFleur also confirmed Romeo Doubs, who left the Eagles game with a chest injury, is “good to go.”
Could the Packers use Bo Melton more at receiver?
The Packers receiver, turned corner, turned back to receiver Bo Melton played 26 offensive snaps during the Eagles game.
Melton had two receptions on five targets for 28 yards. He also had a costly drop on a fourth down throw from Jordan Love midway through the third quarter.
LaFleur applauded Melton and appears open to using him more, if necessary.
“I would say it’s case by case,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, we think a lot of him at corner, and he’s done a nice job there. I know he hasn’t gotten any game reps, but we see him every day in practice, so it just it was one of those things of necessity, I would say last week, especially when you were dealing with three guys that were limited in some capacity. I think it’s always a danger when you go in. Can’t go into a game with just two healthy receivers. So that was just the case for that game. But I thought overall, I was really pleased with this effort.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers center Elgton Jenkins status for rest of season
