Packers Reportedly Claim OT Jared Veldheer From Patriots as Bryan Bulaga Insurance

The San Francisco 49ers rightfully smelled blood in the water when Green Bay Packers stalwart offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga was forced from Sunday night's clash with a knee injury, and Aaron Rodgers and Co. subsequently crumbled to the tune of a 38-7 beatdown.

Luckily for head coach Matt Lafleur, it was ultimately revealed that Bulaga avoided a major injury, but he is still expected to be out of commission for a few weeks.

In a corresponding insurance move, Green Bay reportedly claimed recently retired and ex-Patriots OT Jared Veldheer on Wednesday.

The storyline surrounding Veldheer is an interesting one to say the least. The Hillsdale product appeared destined to suit up for Bill Belichick and the Patriots in 2019 as contract terms were agreed upon between both sides in the early offseason.

Veldheer, however, abruptly opted for retirement, and it was later revealed that his body had betrayed him. He cited the poor status of his hips as the deciding factor, claiming that offseason stem cell therapy wasn't enough to fully cure the ailing muscle.

The Patriots released Veldheer off the reserve/retired list Tuesday, and he was scooped up a day later by the Packers.

We'll see if the 32-year-old vet is available to play, and whether or not that ailing hip injury has subsided.

The Packers face off against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, which will be Veldheer's first chance to take the field for his new team.