The Green Bay Packers have suffered a second season-ending torn Achilles on defense in as many games, as veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was ruled out for the year. Tests on Monday confirmed the injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, the same fate that linebacker Edgerrin Cooper suffered a week earlier.
Hargrave was hurt in the final minutes of Sunday's 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears. At the end of a pass-rush move, he came up hopping and could not put any weight on his right leg, and he was eventually carted off the field. Coach Matt La Fleur said the sight of the injury took some of the joy out of the victory. "Obviously, really excited for our team and winning the game, but I just saw Hargrave and it doesn't look good," La Fleur said. "That kind of takes the air out of the room a little bit when you lose such a, just not only a great player but a great guy, a key piece to this team."
The Packers signed Hargrave, 33, to a two-year, $23 million contract in free agency this offseason, including a $10.5 million signing bonus. He missed Week 2 against the New York Jets with a knee injury and a concussion. Though he did not start any game, he played 123 defensive snaps this season and recorded four tackles.
Green Bay still has six defensive tackles on its roster, including Hargrave before the injury. Warren Brinson is on injured reserve with calf and groin injuries, and Jordon Riley is on the physically unable to perform list due to the Achilles tear he suffered last season. One or both could return this season.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing