Story by
Will the Packers Trade for a Defensive Tackle? What Javon Hargrave's Torn Achilles Changes
- Story by
- Will the Packers Trade for a Defensive Tackle? What Javon Hargrave's Torn Achilles Changes
The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 31-7 on Sunday and still left Lambeau Field with bad news. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave went down without contact while chasing Case Keenum late in the fourth quarter, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that tests confirmed a torn Achilles . His season is over.
It's the second straight week Green Bay has lost a key defender to the same injury. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper tore his Achilles in the Week 4 win over Tampa Bay, and Micah Parsons is still working back from last season's knee injury. So, will the Packers trade for a defensive tackle? It's on the table, but nothing has been reported, and Green Bay has internal options to try first.
Advertisement
What the Packers lose with Hargrave
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr. (15) eludes Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) during the fourth quarter of their game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Atlanta Falcons beat there Green Bay Packers 35-14.
Hargrave signed with Green Bay in March and brought a veteran presence to a young interior line. The 33-year-old has 49 career sacks and two Pro Bowl selections, and he had six stops through his first four games as a Packer.
He was a pass-rush piece more than an every-down player. Against the Bears, 24 of his 31 snaps came as a pass rusher, according to PFF, and he added a quarterback hit. Replacing that interior pressure is the real challenge.
Advertisement
Who the Packers have at defensive tackle
Karl Brooks led the interior with 39 snaps on Sunday, and Devonte Wyatt played 32 with two sacks. Chris McClellan logged 30 snaps and Jonathan Ford played 17, according to PFF. That's a rotation that can hold up against the run, but it lacks a proven interior pass rusher now that Hargrave is gone.
The simplest plan is more snaps for Brooks and Wyatt, with McClellan and Ford filling in. Green Bay has used a deep rotation up front, so the Packers can spread out Hargrave's snaps without asking one player to take them all.
Advertisement
Would a trade make sense?
At 3-2 and coming off its most complete win of the season , Green Bay looks like a contender. Contenders tend to buy, and interior pass rushers are often available midseason from rebuilding teams.
The case against a trade is that Green Bay has already spent on its defense, with Parsons and Hargrave the headliners. It may prefer to let the young linemen grow into bigger roles and keep its draft picks.
The Packers face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and how the interior holds up there will shape the decision. If the Cowboys' quarterback has all day to throw, the trade calls will get louder.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
