Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan has a torn ACL, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Ryan, who was slated to start at inside linebacker, was carted off from practice with the injury. It is likely he will miss the 2018 season.
"Yeah, it's tough, just seeing how much he had put into it in preparation. Unfortunately that's part of it, and you feel for him, but at the same time, I mean, the train keeps moving," Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said Wednesday. "It's always something to deal with, and especially with how early it happened, too."
The injury occurred during an 11-on-11 drill late in Monday's practice. Ryan, 26, pounded his fist on the ground as he received medical attention. The injury will accelerate the need for rookie third-round pick Oren Burks to play a bigger role on defense. Also, defensive back Quinten Rollins has worked at inside linebacker in the sub packages, and the Packers are high on undrafted rookie linebacker Greer Martini of Notre Dame. Ryan, a fourth-round pick of the Packers in 2015, started 12 games last season, finishing with 79 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack. He has appeared in 43 games (27 starts) during his three seasons in Green Bay. ESPN's Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.
