Jared Veldheer provides valuable insurance, options for Packers
The new practice squad rules for the 2020 season provided an opportunity for the Green Bay Packers to add valuable insurance and options at offensive tackle for the playoff run.
Jared Veldheer, who became available as a free agent after playing in two games as a practice squad elevation for the Indianapolis Colts, will sign with the Packers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Veldheer wasn’t on the Colts’ 53-man roster and became eligible to sign with any team after Indianapolis lost to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. New rules this season allowed teams to sign veterans to the practice squad, and all players on the practice squad were allowed two elevations to the gameday roster.
The Packers, in need of depth at offensive tackle after losing David Bakhtiari to a season-ending injury, jumped at the opportunity to add veteran help at a key position once Veldheer’s stint on the Colts practice squad officially ended.
Veldheer started at left tackle in place of Anthony Castonzo for the Colts in both Week 17 and the AFC Wild Card Round. Last season, Veldheer arrived in Green Bay in December and played a vital role as a backup behind Bryan Bulaga at right tackle. He played in two games, once as a replacement for Bulaga in Week 17 at Detroit and once as a starter for Bulaga during the NFC Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Packers now have options. In Week 17, coach Matt LaFleur decided to have Billy Turner play left tackle and Rick Wagner play right tackle. Turner can also play either guard spot, and Wagner is still dealing with a knee injury. LaFleur is always attempting to find his best starting five, especially given all the versatility in his offensive line room, and Veldheer adds another variable to the mix. Should he want to shuffle the line, or either Turner or Wagner suffer an injury, LaFleur now has an experienced offensive tackle option in Veldheer who can play either side of the line and knows the offense.
This is the kind of signing that could make the difference between being one-and-done and a Super Bowl run. Protecting the quarterback is vital in all games but especially the postseason, where just one bad play – or one bad injury – could torpedo a season.
Veldheer played two full games at left tackle for the Colts and didn’t give up a sack. Even at age 33 and without playing during the first 15 weeks of the season, he held up just fine at a key position in big games.
The Packers will now go into Saturday’s divisional round showdown with the Los Angeles Rams with three experienced offensive tackles they can trust, including two – Veldheer and Turner – who can likely play both left and right tackle. Most teams, even some playoff teams, don’t have two quality options at offensive tackle. The Packers have three, and that’s not even counting the five-time All-Pro on injured reserve.
Counting Veldheer, GM Brian Gutekunst has now added three veterans over the last month – including Tavon Austin and Snacks Harrison – capable of playing key roles and helping the Packers make a Super Bowl run. Losing Bakhtiari still hurts, but adding Veldheer certainly lessens the blow.
