Rookie DE Collin Oliver Set for NFL Debut Against Vikings
As the Green Bay Packers prepare for their regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, all eyes are on rookie defensive end Collin Oliver. Head coach Matt LaFleur announced that Oliver is set to make his NFL debut in Week 18, generating excitement among fans and analysts alike.
Collin Oliver: A Promising Rookie
Collin Oliver was drafted in the fifth round by the Packers after a successful collegiate career at Oklahoma State. During his time there, he accumulated impressive stats, including:
- 134 tackles
- 40.5 tackles for loss
- 23.5 sacks
However, his senior season was cut short after just two games due to a foot injury. Despite the setback, Packers director of scouting Milt Hendrickson highlighted Oliver’s unique skill set, noting his explosiveness off the edge and versatility as a linebacker. He also emphasized Oliver’s potential value on special teams.
Injuries Delayed His Debut
Oliver faced challenges early in his professional career due to a hamstring injury that sidelined him throughout training camp. This led to the Packers placing him on the physically unable to perform list at the start of the season. He was only designated for return on December 2.
Path to Activation
After several weeks of practice, Oliver was activated to the 53-man roster on December 22. His addition comes at a crucial time for the Packers, who are looking to bolster their pass-rushing capabilities. Notably, they will be playing without Micah Parsons and have had no sacks from Rashan Gary in their last nine games.
Game Day Expectations
Although the outcome of the game against the Vikings will not affect the Packers’ playoff positioning, the match presents an opportunity to evaluate Oliver. The team, currently the NFC’s seventh seed, is coming off three consecutive losses and is expected to rest key players.
- Quarterback Jordan Love, recovering from a concussion
- Backup Malik Willis, who has a shoulder injury
As a result, third-string quarterback Clayton Tune is set to start against Minnesota. Meanwhile, fans are eager to see how Collin Oliver performs in his long-awaited debut, as he aims to contribute to the team’s efforts for a postseason run.
