Packers fifth-round pick to miss at least 6 weeks after knee surgery

Green Bay Packers fifth-round pick Kamal Martin underwent knee surgery this week and could miss up to two months of action. 

Injuries are always going to happen during training camps leading up to the season. This is something the Green Bay Packers, unfortunately, have to deal with this fall with one of their most recent NFL Draft picks.

On Wednesday morning, news broke that Packers 2020 fifth-round selection Kamal Martin has underdone knee surgery to repair his injured meniscus. It’s rough news for the rookie inside linebacker, who is now expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Martin had been pushing to see some serious playing time at the start of 2020, but he’ll now have to wait to showcase his stuff to fans.

Kamal Martin was the 175th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft

It goes without saying, but this is definitely some tough news for Martin. He had been impressing the Green Bay coaches throughout camp, and was even in the mix to land a starting role for the team’s Week 1 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13.

Now, the Packers could end up being without him for around two months. It’s a bit of a blow for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, no doubt. Martin, who checks in at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, arrived to Green Bay after a four-year career at Minnesota.

While with the Gophers, the rookie posted 177 total tackles, four interceptions and 3.5 sacks. This is also the second consecutive year Martin has been sidelined, as he only played eight games during his senior campaign at Minnesota due to a foot sprain and a knee injury. That knee injury kept him out of the Outback Bowl last winter.

While he may not be out on the gridiron to start out the year, he’ll look to rehab and get back on the field as soon as possible for the Packers.