Tests confirmed Monday that Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Javon Hargrave tore his Achilles tendon during Sunday’s 31-7 victory over the Chicago Bears, ending his 2026 season.
Hargrave went down with a non-contact injury late in the fourth quarter while the Packers held a big lead and was carted off the field at Lambeau Field. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that imaging results verified the tear.
The 33-year-old will undergo surgery and begin rehabilitation with a target of returning in 2027. He signed a two-year deal with Green Bay this offseason and remains under contract through next year.
This is the second Achilles rupture for the Packers’ defense in consecutive weeks. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper suffered the same injury in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is also done for the year.
Through the first five weeks, Hargrave recorded six tackles, two quarterback hits and one pass defensed. He appeared in four games after dealing with earlier issues that included a concussion and a knee concern.
Green Bay added Hargrave in free agency to reinforce the interior line after trading Kenny Clark. The two-time Pro Bowl pick has 49 career sacks and roughly 438 tackles across 150 regular-season games in 11 seasons.
He spent 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings, posting 52 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 16 games. His veteran presence was expected to aid a run defense that ranked outside the league’s top half last season.
Remaining depth at the position includes Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Jonathan Ford and rookie third-round pick Chris McClellan. Anthony Campbell has been limited by an ankle injury.
The Packers improved to 3-2 with the win over the Bears. The defense forced five turnovers in the game.
Coach Matt LaFleur called the result bittersweet and said early indications pointed to an Achilles injury for Hargrave.
Hargrave was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round in 2016 out of South Carolina State. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers before joining the Vikings and then the Packers.
Recovery from a torn Achilles for a player his age typically takes six to nine months or more, depending on the procedure and rehab timeline.
The Packers have already lost other key players for the season, including wide receiver Jayden Reed (neck) and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (torn patellar tendon).
The team faces the Dallas Cowboys next and may explore additional help along the defensive front before the trade deadline.
The remaining linemen will need to step up to maintain pressure and solidify the run defense without Hargrave.
