The Sports Xchange

The Green Bay Packers’ defense, which struggled against the run in their opener, received a major blow when inside linebacker Sam Barrington suffered an ankle injury that might sideline him for the rest of the season, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

There is no definitive prognosis on Barrington’s injury, but the Packers fear the worst at this point, and NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers believe Barrington will miss the remainder of the 2015 season.

Barrington was listed as questionable for Sunday’s opener against Chicago because of an ankle injury sustained in the preseason. He started the game but left in the second quarter after apparently aggravating the ankle. Barrington left the stadium after the game wearing a walking boot, according to FOXSports.com.

Barrington became a starter late last season and remained a starter through the playoffs and into this year’s opener. He called the defensive signals in the huddle.

Nate Palmer replaced Barrington when Barrington left the game on Sunday and probably will get this starting assignment in this weekend’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Packers have been using Clay Matthews as both an inside and outside linebacker, but this injury might force him inside almost exclusively.