Green Pay Packers center Corey Linsley is a vital cog to the team's offensive line, a position group that could be in major flux this offseason. Having offseason surgery is something many NFL players endure, but it can still pose questions about a team's preparation for the future. That's what the NFC North team is facing after Linsley underwent surgery for an ankle injury.
Ankle woes
It's not entirely clear when Linsley went under the knifoe suffered a high ankle sprain. Some within the Packers organization believe that the ankle sprain helped contribute to a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the first half of the 2016 season.
Dr. Robert Anderson, who is in discussions to become a primary team physician for the Packers, performed the surgery on Linsley in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team is optimistic that he will be cleared to return to the field by the time Green Bay begins their offseason drills in mid-May. They may take a cautious approach and hold him out longer, though, knowing how important he is to the offensive line moving forward.
Offensive line conundrum
The status of Linsley is directly tied to the status of JC Tretter, as the centers have split starting snaps over the past few years while dealing with their respective injuries. Tretter, however, is slated to become a free agent on Thursday if the Packers don't put forward a deal to re-sign him.
That could create a situation where Jacob Flores, who spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, is the only center available for the team when offseason workouts begin.
The injury to Linsley isn't the only blow Green Bay is prepared to face on the offensive line. They are also expecting to lose guard T.J. Lang in free agency over the next several weeks.
He has emerged as a top guard and will command top dollar on the open market. The Packers desperately need a solid offensive line to protect Aaron Rodgers and get the running game going, and right now, that possibility is looking more and more bleak.