William

Whitticker

“With a great performance he could do it,” offensive line coach Larry Beightol said. “I think he improves every day.” Whitticker, a seventh-round pick, will likely start Saturday.

Season-ending injuries to Kevin Barry and Adrian Klemm have thrust Whitticker into a key backup role. Whitticker dropped 14 pounds to fit the zone-blocking scheme.

He was one of three Packers linemen to get hurt Tuesday, with G Jason Spitz (leg) and backup G Wayne Lucier (ankle) also going down. Green Bay, already starting two rookies, has been ravaged by two other season-ending injuries to their line. Their entire offense is likely to suffer.

Whitticker, who’s never played tackle before, has lined up at the position in the Packers first two minicamps. “Look, if I’m destined to be here, then I’ll be here,” the second-year player said. “If not, I have to hope I get picked up by another team and I go play there.”

The Michigan State product will try to develop into another great Packers guard.

Whitticker would normally go on I.R. after clearing waivers, but signed a seven-day settlement and could return once his high ankle sprain is healed.

Whitticker had been making a case to be Washington’s No. 3 guard, but will now be out indefinitely. The former Packer will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

The former Packer would be quite a value find as a free for Washington if he keeps it up. That’s a nice change for them in free agency.

He was suffering from a serious hamstring injury. Whitticker is now the third reserve tackle from Green Bay to be lost for the season. They have very little depth on the offensive line.