Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed a shoulder injury for safety Dallin Leavitt and provided an ominous timeline for his return when asked before practice on Sunday.
Per LaFleur, Leavitt is expected to be out “a while” after he left Friday’s preseason opener against the 49ers with a shoulder injury.
Leavitt, who was signed with the Packers on July 25, was injured while making a tackle late in the first half. He was down on the field for some time in visible pain while trainers attended to his injury.
It’s unclear what specific shoulder injury Leavitt suffered. The timeline suggests surgery could be in the cards.
Leavitt, a favorite of special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, arrived in Green Bay as a front runner to win a backup spot at safety, mostly due to his ability on special teams. He led the Raiders in special teams tackles a year ago.
His injury could open the door for a player such as Vernon Scott, Shawn Davis, Innis Gaines or rookie Tariq Carpenter to make the team as one of the backup safeties.
Before his injury, Leavitt gave up a long touchdown pass to rookie Danny Gray in the first half of the Packers’ 28-21 loss to the 49ers.
LaFleur did confirm that none of the other injuries suffered during the preseason opener are expected to be long term.
