No Rush to Get Back to Action for Packers OLB Vince Biegel

There's no rush to get back onto a football field for Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Vince Biegel, even though the fourth-round pick's on-field debut has been long overdue after being sidelined since the team's rookie orientation.

The Wisconsin native returned to practice for the first time since having surgery on his foot -- a re-aggravation of the same injury he suffered during his senior season with the Wisconsin Badgers. It caused him to miss all of offseason team activities and training camp, landing him on the Packers' physically unable to perform list to begin his rookie season.

"It felt good to finally be out there, being around the Packers and flying around with other teammates; and most importantly, getting my first practice under my belt," Biegel said following his inaugural practice of the 2017 season. "Obviously, still a long way to go. I still have a long way to knock off the rust but it really did feel good -- to be out there and have a healthy practice."

From the moment Biegel practiced, a three-week window opened up that gives the Packers time to determine if they want to activate him off of the physically unable to perform list and onto the active roster.

They'd have to clear a roster spot for him if they decide to do so, which is tricky considering their 14-deep injury report on Wednesday may call for reinforcements at other positions. The Packers just moved cornerback Quinten Rollins to injured reserve to make room for quarterback Joe Callahan. Now, they might have to make another tough business decision. 

"You know, I think that's a coaches decision whether they want to take the full three weeks with me," Biegel said. He also noted that he had been preparing to play this upcoming week against the New Orleans Saints during his entire stay on the PUP list. Six weeks of preparation for an opponent that he very well may not get the opportunity to face.

The best course of action for Biegel would likely to be postponing his rookie debut until after the Packers' bye week, setting him up for a Nov. 6 Monday Night Football date with the rival Detroit Lions.

Not only would it give Biegel the full 21-day window to shake his aforementioned rust off and get in some more practice reps with linebackers coach Winston Moss, but it's not like the Packers are in desperate need of edge rushers at the moment.

Outside linebackers Ahmad Brooks (back) and Nick Perry (hand/knee) were both listed on Wednesday's injury report, but Brooks is the only one of the two that didn't play last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Other than those two minor injuries that likely won't require either one to miss Sunday's game against the Saints, there's no rush for fortification.

His services aren't needed right away, but there's no doubt that when the Packers call, Biegel will be ready.

"Everything happens for a reason," Biegel said. "And that's the way I took it. You can have two ways of going about it, and I decided to attack it and be positive about it. Being able to learn from guys like Clay [Matthews] and Nick [Perry], being able to attack my playbook so that when I stepped on the field today, I was able to react fast and know what I'm doing mentally.

"I would've loved to have been playing earlier back in OTAs, absolutely, but I'm making the best of this moment right now and I'm going to attack every moment moving forward."

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (21)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Lphill's picture

October 19, 2017 at 06:04 am

How great would it be if and when he does return he turns out to be a playmaker .

0 points
0
0
KenEllis's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:16 am

Why would we rush Vince back with the way the OLBs have been getting after the QB this season?

I mean Clay & Perry both have 2.5 sacks, Brooks has 1, and Fackrell is trying so very hard bless his heart to touch a QB that he may fall into a sack or two before the season is over. Something called Odom does not even suit up.

With a combined 6 sacks from our OLBs so far this group has early as many as Julius Peppers who has 6.5 down in Carolina.

Yeah, no need to get Vince back on the field, none whatsoever.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:23 am

"...and Fackrell is trying so very hard bless his heart to touch a QB ..."

In a purely platonic way, of course.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

October 19, 2017 at 06:05 am

"There's no rush to get back onto a football field for Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Vince Biegel"

"but it's not like the Packers are in desperate need of edge rushers at the moment."

"His services aren't needed right away, but there's no doubt that when the Packers call, Biegel will be ready."

WHAT????? Zack the Packers have 11 sacks for the season through 6 games. Their on pace to have what, 25 sacks?? That would be worse than the 2011 season when they finished with just 29 and finished 32nd (Last) in passing yards allowed.

The Packers NEED his services. They NEED his pass rushing abilities like yesterday, maybe earlier. Watching this defense rush the Passer while QB's pick on Pimkins, Hawkins, or whoever else might be playing at that given time is painful at times.

The Packers have TWO sacks in the last 3 games. TWO!! The Packers are paying the two starting OLB over $21 million this season and have 5 sacks combined from those two. Not only do the Packers NEED Biegels services, they should make OLB/Pass Rusher their #1 pick in next years draft IMO.

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

October 19, 2017 at 08:22 am

That last paragraph ......priceless!

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

October 19, 2017 at 06:45 am

Bring Beigel back after the bye. By then Rodgers should have had his surgery and we'll know if he is going on IR or not. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:49 am

Hopefully he's used his extended offseason as an opportunity to get stronger. That was one of the knocks on him coming out of college: not quite strong enough to handle a role on the outside and set the edge.

I think that you're right: he'll be back after the bye. They can work him in on ST and get him limited snaps on defense to gauge where he's at. Certainly, #51 is struggling to provide impact plays with his snaps and the pass rush needs any boost it can get. Anything more they can get from that position will be welcome.

That foot will have me worried until they actually can prove it's sound.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 06:46 am

I can't wait to see Biegel on the field. My guess though is we won't see him on the field before week 10 and maybe not until about week 12. Considering there is very little practice time it will take Biegel longer to get back into playing shape. We have only seen Adams activated due to injuries.

When Biegel does start playing I think he can contribute right away. He plays fast and strong. He played in a similar system at UW. I think he will fit right in.

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

October 19, 2017 at 08:11 am

With so many guys hurt...you have to see week to week where the need will be.
Zach is right in that activating him isn't an automatic decision.

0 points
0
0
jyros's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:28 am

Biegel in - Fackrell out.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:04 am

Yeah, he's in position to shed and make that play, but he just can't do it. Bad feet on that one, can't disengage and that allows the TE to make it much easier for the RB.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:24 am

I still see some good things from him, but he simply doesn't play with any toughness.. I expected to see him improve in that area this year. He didn't.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:42 am

The Packers drafted him and, I admit, I thought he could be a steal based on the fact that he seemed athletic and had experience in the 3-4. Turns out, I think he's best suited to play the weak side OLB in a 4-3 or maybe the chase position inside in a 3-4. He's a run-around guy and destined to be an ST. Those guys are a dime-a-dozen....

0 points
0
0
KenEllis's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:21 am

Priceless, thanks for sharing.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:24 am

Welcome. :)

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:41 am

"No Rush to get Back to Action for Packers OLB Vince Biegel"

I think there's a fair amount of irony in that title...

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

October 19, 2017 at 12:46 pm

No rush to get back into action.....like the guys we have on the edge have been playing so great, and without injury. Seriously? If the guy can actually stay healthy, and more importantly, be a real force and cause some havoc on the other side of the LOS, then get him back quickly. He could actually be better than what we have now, and it wouldn't take much for that to be the case.

0 points
0
0
Gianich's picture

October 19, 2017 at 01:18 pm

Why rush him back? Pack had 0.0 sacks last week so might as well wait...smh

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

October 19, 2017 at 03:29 pm

No kidding, right? People act like we have 4-5 all pro pass rushers on this team. I got news for ya.....

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

October 19, 2017 at 03:35 pm

X

0 points
0
0