GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t sure how long center Sean Rhyan’s ankle injury would sideline him, but Rhyan could miss more than the team’s Thursday night game, Oct. 29, against the Carolina Panthers.
Rhyan suffered an ankle sprain in the first quarter of the Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field and did not return.
According to NFL Network, Rhyan has a high-ankle sprain. There are varying degrees of sprains, and the report did not indicate how long Rhyan would be sidelined. But often, high-ankle sprains take at least a couple of weeks to heal.
LaFleur was scheduled to address the media at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Rhyan has started every game this season.
Jacob Monk replaced Rhyan but lasted only five plays before suffering a thigh injury. He did not return to the game and second-year pro John Williams replaced him. Williams, the team’s backup left tackle, had worked some at center in training camp and practice, but he made his first career offensive appearance, playing the remaining 58 snaps.
Williams acquitted himself well given his minimal preparation going into the game.
“He gets center work in practice,” LaFleur said. “And he's so intelligent. I mean, he's got great command, understands all the calls, why we're doing what we're doing. I commend him for the job he did stepping in in a tough situation.”
Williams would be the leading candidate to start at center against the Panthers.
Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt also suffered an injury, but he returned to the game and said afterward that he thought he’d be ready to play against the Panthers. He said he was hit on the same ankle that he had surgically repaired last season and was hoping he’d feel better in the coming days.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers center Sean Rhyan reportedly has high-ankle sprain, availability uncertain