How will Packers TE Josiah Deguara return from injury?

Green Bay Packers TE Josiah Deguara is going into his 2nd NFL season in 2021 and looks to make an impact.

Last year, Deguara tore his ACL in an early October game against the Falcons, which ended his rookie season. While the Packers went on to win 13 regular season games and make an NFC Championship appearance, Deguara took on the long road of rehab and watched the likes of TE’s Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis play well.

Fast forward to May of 2021 and Deguara is back on the practice field.

Josiah Deguara (ACL) has his helmet and is out here for first open OTA practice #Packers pic.twitter.com/Ft3MiAhp0c
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) May 25, 2021

Deguara, 24 years old, was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2020 Draft from the University of Cincinnati. In his Junior Season, the versatile FB/TE caught 38 balls for 468 yards and 5 touchdowns in 13 games played. In his Senior Season, he stayed consistent in his production, catching 39 passes for 504 yards and 7 touchdowns in 13 games played.

Although an extremely small sample size, Deguara showed off his versatility and the different spots the Packers can put him pre-snap. In the videos below, all from the same game, you can see Deguara lining up as a FB in the I-Formation, Off-Set I Formation and Split Shotgun next to Rodgers.

First play of Josiah Deguara's NFL career and Matt LaFleur asks him to block one of the best LBs in the NFL. Aaron Jones didn't follow the block, but that's a win for the rookie.

No wonder they love this kid. pic.twitter.com/3gN4xerRyr
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 15, 2020

The more I watch this block from Josiah Deguara the more I fall in love with it… ? pic.twitter.com/6knfXSbVyh
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) September 17, 2020

I promise this scores a TD in 2020

Split gun throwback screen to Josiah Deguara with Ervin orbit motion juuuuuust sniffed out. Love the design – look at all that eye candy and misdirection!!

Favorite play design of the week from Matt LaFleur pic.twitter.com/ZaOv4ctgsH
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 16, 2020

Ya think LaFleur wanted to get Josiah Deguara deep on Sunday? 3 vertical concepts for the 6'3 242 4.72 TE/FB – creates matchup problem!

24 offensive snaps in debut vs MIN. Variety of alignments. Backfield (16 snaps), In-Line Y (5 snaps), Slot (3 snaps)

Backfield verticals ?? pic.twitter.com/uVExMFPJdn
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 18, 2020

A player that Deguara reminds me of is 5-Time Pro Bowl FB Kyle Juszczyk. They are similar in size (Juszczyk is 6’1, 240 and Deguara is 6’2, 238). Additionally, both are extremely versatile. Granted, Deguara has only proved it at the collegiate level but that doesn’t mean he can’t get to that level in the NFL. Both guys are willing blockers that give a ton of effort in the run game. As receivers, Deguara had impressive stats in college and Juszczyk has put up great statistics for a FB, catching anywhere from 20-40 passes a season in his NFL career.

Both players also are in the same style of offense, the Shanahan/McVay/LaFleur offense, where versatility and pre-snap motion is emphasized. Juszczyk has had an incredible career and has benefited greatly being with Shanahan. I believe the same will be true for Deguara. So far, all signs point to a 100% recovery and a guy on track to make his impact felt in the upcoming season.

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Alex grew up in a family of Chicago Bears fans in the suburbs of Chicago but was always a Packers guy. Alex\'s AIM name when he was in elementary/middle school was PackerAlex. He now lives in Nashville, Tennessee and you can follow him on twitter at @Alex_Mayer93.

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