Depth has critical part to play in Packers’ edge rush

GREEN BAY – When healthy, Rashan Gary and Preston Smith have formed one of the NFL’s top edge-rushing tandems.

Since Gary became a starter in 2021, the two Packers linebackers have combined for 176 tackles, 77 quarterback hits, 33 sacks and seven forced fumbles. Gary and Smith only appeared to be scratching the surface of their collective potential when Green Bay traveled to Detroit last November for a Week 9 showdown with the Lions.

Unfortunately, that’s where Gary’s breakout season would end after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament at Ford Field. While all signs point towards Gary making a full recovery, the Packers’ pass rush has had to press on without the former first-round pick.

That process will continue into 2023, as Green Bay looks to stem the tide until Gary’s return to the field. Opportunity was born out of Gary’s misfortune, with rookie fifth-round pick Kingsley Enagbare and veteran Justin Hollins stepping up alongside Smith down the stretch.

Enagbare played in all 17 games with seven starts, recording 31 tackles, eight QB hits and three sacks – the most sacks by a Packers rookie in a nearly a decade.

The Packers claimed Hollins off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams shortly after Gary’s injury. The move reunited the fourth-year linebacker with Joe Barry, who previously served as LA’s assistant head coach and linebackers coach before being hired as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator in 2021.

Hollins proved to be a quick study. The 6-foot-5, 248-pound linebacker registered nine tackles and 2½ sacks in six appearances with the Packers. Hollins re-signed with Green Bay last month.

The key ingredient to the Packers’ edge rush remains Smith, who has racked up 195 tackles, 71 QB hits and 33½ sacks over 65 games (62 starts) in Green Bay. The 31-year-old veteran has missed just one game in eight NFL seasons.

Smith took his game to another level after Gary’s injury, too. Over the final eight games of the 2023 season, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound linebacker tallied 30 tackles, 11 QB hits, five sacks and a forced fumble.

Rounding out the room is fourth-year linebacker Jonathan Garvin and practice-squad holdover La’Darius Hamilton, who’ll compete for jobs with the incoming rookie class.

In the meantime, the Packers patiently wait for Gary’s return. The 25-year-old linebacker was off to a strong start in 2022, generating 32 tackles, 12 QB hits and six sacks in nine games. According to TruMedia, Gary ranked in the top 10 among NFL linebackers in QB hits…