Packers Need to Sign Mason Foster Immediately in Wake of Oren Burks Injury
By Michael Luciano
In the blink of an eye, the Green Bay Packers lost a stalwart for Mike Pettine's defense.
Linebacker Oren Burks, who impressed as a rookie last year and was penciled in as a starter at inside 'backer this season, suffered a torn pectoral muscle that could sideline him well into the start of the season.
Packers LB Oren Burks is believed to have a torn pectoral muscle, according to a source. More tests are scheduled to determine the course of action, but given that Burks was penciled in as a starter in the base defense, it leaves a hole in the D.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 10, 2019
Luckily for Green Bay, there's a possible replacement out there that may as well be heaven-sent: free agent linebacker Mason Foster. And Brian Gutekunst needs to get on the phone with him ASAP.
Despite starting all 16 games last season and piling up a career-high 131 tackles, good for seventh in the league, Foster was unceremoniously cut by the Washington Redskins. As a 30-year-old battle-tested veteran that put up arguably his most productive NFL season to date in a defense that isn't schematically much different what Green Bay is running, Foster almost makes too much sense for the Packers.
Mason Foster and Antonio Morrison for looks #packers #freeagent #TrainingCamp @unknownpackers @wisconsinbrice ?? https://t.co/MhgSxUIVBX
— Warrior Poet (@mkewayman) August 11, 2019
If Foster lands in Green Bay and lines up next to Blake Martinez, good luck running on that team.