Green Bay Packers center Sean Rhyan is expected to miss at least four weeks while recovering from a high ankle sprain, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Testing on Rhyan's ankle injury confirmed a high ankle sprain, but surgery is not currently expected.
Rhyan was injured on the Packers' first offensive drive of Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. He limped off the field in pain, was evaluated on the sideline and did not return, even after the Packers lost backup Jacob Monk to a quad injury.
It's possible Rhyan could land on injured reserve, but if his recovery timeline is truly four weeks, then he could avoid injured reserve, miss games against the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings and return when the Packers come out of the bye against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12. If put on injured reserve, Rhyan would have to miss at least four games. Keeping him on the 53-man roster keeps open the possibility of Rhyan playing against the Rams.
The Packers' decision on his roster status will tell a lot about Rhyan's recovery timeline.
Rhyan started the Packers' first seven games at center. Originally a starting guard for the Packers, Rhyan moved to center after Elgton Jenkins' injury last season, gradually improved at the new position and earned a contract extension to stay in Green Bay.
The Packers placed Monk on injured reserve on Monday, so John Williams or rookie Jager Burton are likely the top starting options for Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. Williams played the final 58 snaps at center against the Lions, and coach Matt LaFleur was complimentary of Williams' performance at a new position in a hostile environment at Ford Field.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers C Sean Rhyan to miss at least 4 weeks with high ankle sprain