Packers Defensive Tackle Devonte Wyatt Injured in Thanksgiving Win

The Green Bay Packers secured a vital division victory against the Detroit Lions during the first Thanksgiving game of 2025, but their celebration was marred by a significant injury to defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. In the second half of the game, Wyatt suffered an ankle injury that resulted in him being carted off the field without being able to put weight on his left leg. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed concern for Wyatt’s condition during a post-game press conference. “It doesn’t look good, guys. I’m sick for him. I’m sick for us. I mean, that’s a critical loss for our football team, for our defense, obviously,” LaFleur stated, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Wyatt, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft from the University of Georgia, has been a full-time starter for the Packers this season. In his rookie year, he played a limited role behind veterans Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, and Dean Lowry. With both Reed and Lowry leaving the team, Wyatt had the opportunity to step up. He demonstrated potential as a pass rusher, recording 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits in 2023.

As the Packers transitioned, Wyatt and Karl Brooks, a sixth-round draft choice in 2023, became key rotational players behind starters Clark and T.J. Slaton. Wyatt continued to shine in his role, amassing five sacks, nine tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits in the 2024 season. However, questions remained about his effectiveness against the run.

The departure of Slaton to the Cincinnati Bengals and Clark’s trade to the Dallas Cowboys opened up two starting positions on the defensive line. Wyatt secured one of those spots, with Colby Wooden, another 2023 draft addition, taking the other. Brooks, while not a full-time starter, has surpassed both Wyatt and Wooden in snap count as a primary rotational player.

With Wyatt’s injury leaving a void on the defensive line, Brooks is expected to step into a more prominent role alongside Wooden. This raises concerns regarding the team’s pass-rushing capabilities, as Wyatt’s absence significantly diminishes their potential in that area.

Another critical aspect of Wyatt’s injury pertains to his contract. The Packers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, which had set expectations for extension talks. If an agreement cannot be reached, the fifth-year option allows the team to assess Wyatt’s performance further before making long-term decisions.

In his fourth season, Wyatt had continued to contribute to the Packers’ defense, recording four sacks, five tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits. Nonetheless, he still faced challenges in run defense. Should this injury sideline Wyatt for the remainder of the 2025 season, the Packers will have several options moving forward. They might negotiate an extension that acknowledges his pass-rushing skills without offering top-tier compensation due to his recent injury and ongoing run-stopping difficulties. Alternatively, the team may allow him to play out the fifth-year option and evaluate his performance in 2026.

While further testing will provide clarity on Wyatt’s prognosis in the coming days, LaFleur’s comments indicate that the Packers may have to plan for life without him for the remainder of the season.