Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
The Green Bay Packers were hoping to see a big improvement in their defense this season. Unfortunately they will have to do so without one of their top players.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, defensive tackle B.J. Raji has torn his bicep and will miss the entire season:
Just confirmed Raji tore his biceps from a league source. Fear is it's season-ending.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 23, 2014
Raji has been a starter on the Packers defensive line since being drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft. Raji was coming off a down year last season, totaling only 17 tackles with no sacks, though his position isn’t one that normally boasts high numbers.
Nonetheless, with the addition of Julius Peppers to the defensive line, and a healthy Clay Matthews, the Packers were hoping to see a much-improved front seven, but now they must find another space eater.
Seven-year veteran Letroy Guion, and rookie Mike Fennel will have to step up in Raji’s absence, and the offense will surely be under a lot of pressure to put up points.
Raji joins the San Francisco 49ers’ Glenn Dorsey as the second defensive lineman for a top NFC team to tear his bicep and be forced to miss the season.
