The Green Bay Packers scored a huge victory over the previously unbeaten Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night, 24-21, but also suffered a big loss. In the third quarter, star tight end Robert Tonyan suffered a knee injury at the end of a 33-yard catch and run. Tonyan walked off the field with a noticeable limp, headed in the direction of the locker room and did not return. The following day, Tonyan’s agent, Jack Bechta, announced that Tonyan suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.
When Tonyan went down he immediately grabbed at his left knee, and it appeared to be a serious injury. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s demeanor after the game reflected that as well. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, LaFleur got emotional while speaking about his tight end.
“I’m sick for him. I’m sick for us,” LaFleur said. “My heart goes out to him.”
The 27-year-old broke out in a big way last year, as the former practice squadder caught 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tonyan hasn’t been as explosive this season, as he has caught 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns in eight games played. He stepped up for Rodgers on Thursday night, however, as Green Bay was without its top three wide receivers due to COVID-19 and injury issues.
With Tonyan out for the remainder of the season, expect the veteran Marcedes Lewis to see more action in the receiving game, as well as Josiah Deguara.
