Sam Barrington Injury: Updates on Packers LB's Foot and Return

Green Bay Packers linebacker Sam Barrington is expected to miss the remainder of the 2015 regular season after suffering a foot injury in Week 1's 31-23 win over the Chicago Bears.

Continue for updates.

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Packers Run Defense In Question After Barrington Injury

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Ian Rapoport reported the news, noting the Packers' schedule will make them notice the immediate impact of Barrington's absence. Green Bay hosts the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs the next two weeks, meaning Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles could be due for big days.

Barrington, 24, recorded only one tackle before leaving in the second quarter Sunday. He was seen in a walking boot after the game, and head coach Mike McCarthy did not offer encouraging words on his status Monday.     

"We’re waiting back for some test results on Sam, but I think he’ll be hard-pressed to make practice Wednesday," McCarthy said, per Brian Carriveau of 247Sports.

In his third season out of South Florida, Barrington was expecting big things in 2015 while playing an expanded role. He made 52 tackles in 14 games last season, emerging as a difference-maker after a rash of injuries to the Green Bay linebacking corps left it desperately searching for answers.

Outside linebacker Clay Matthews was even forced to play inside for spots in 2014, a tactic McCarthy may re-employ if replacing Barrington proves difficult.

Rapoport also pointed out former Packer Desmond Bishop is now healthy, and could be an option for Green Bay 

In the interim, rookie Jake Ryan should take over Barrington's starting spot. Ryan, a fourth-round pick out of Michigan, had one tackle in Week 1. He'll start alongside Nate Palmer, who had a grand total of 17 career tackles coming into 2015. To put it mildly, the Packers are going to have their fingers crossed their unproven inside linebackers don't unravel in the coming weeks.

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