Packers Get Incredible Update on Oren Burks After Initial Grim Diagnosis on Pec Injury

Mike Pettine's grand vision for his revamped Green Bay Packers defense went up in smoke in a heartbeat when promising second-year linebacker Oren Burks was believed to have been out for the season.

While his torn pectoral muscle was initially believed to have been a death knell for his 2019 season, Burks will not need surgery and will likely avoid going on injured reserve.

Selected in the third round (88th overall) in the 2018 draft out of Vanderbilt, Burks assumed a starting role later in the season, recording 24 tackles across four starts.

Burks figured to start opposite Blake Martinez inside in Pettine's defense this season. While starting remains an outside possibility, Burks might return in the near future, which is more than the Packers could have ever hoped for.

He may not be a star at this point in time, but Burks fits the mold of a Pettine linebacker and has given every indication that he'll be a stud if he can stay healthy.