The Green Bay Packers are set to welcome the New York Jets to Lambeau field in less than an hour. Pro Football Talk just reported that Bryan Bulaga will not be joining the Packers on the field. The right tackle is listed as inactive for today’s contest.

Bulaga’s absence was felt throughout the 2013 NFL season, as a knee injury kept him sidelined. He was healthy heading into 2014 and is looked to as a leader on the offensive line. He’s started 33 years for the Packers in his career, but over the last two years he’s constantly battled injuries. The good news for the Packers is that it seems as though he will be back sooner rather than later — some thought he was going to play today.

His absence puts extra stress on the Packers offense, as he is in charge of protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ right side.

Jul 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packer tackle Derek Sherrod during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Enter Derek Sherrod, the Packers’ first round pick of the 2011 NFL draft. He’s battled injuries and inconsistency since joining the Packers. In week one against the Seahawks Sherrod struggled mightily filling in for Bulaga, who he went down with an injury.

Bulaga’s inactivity shouldn’t drastically change the Packers’ game plan today, but it is concerning. Green Bay has said it wants to run a fast-paced no huddle offense in 2014 and Sherrod didn’t receive many reps with the first team in the preseason. The Jets’ defense proved to be quite effective in week one, holding the Raiders to only 13 points. Thus, Sherrod will have his hands full. But he was First-team All-SEC in 2010 so obviously he has the talent.

Will he step up and put together a big game tonight? Packers fans certainly hope so.