The Green Bay Packers’ injury report confirmed that the the team will be without defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt against the Bengals in Week 6. In his absence, reports Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated, they will turn to rookie and fellow Georgia alum Warren Brinson for his first action this season.

Brinson parlays hard work and preparation into his moment on game-time stage

The Packers drafted Brinson in the sixth round, 198th overall, as a fifth-year senior for the Bulldogs, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound menace on the defensive front.

Via Huber, defensive line coach Demarcus Covington highlighted how Brinson’s mindset and work ethic all season has materialized into a chance for real-game reps.

“I think Warren’s been doing a really good job within practice, whether it’s on scout team or with us on defense, and in the classroom. He’s been growing as a player in really making sure he’s in tune with the game plan, whether he’s active or inactive for the game.”

Sunday will be his first time as an active member of the gameday roster. Brinson is “super excited” for the opportunity. Take it from his D-line coach, he’s earned it.

“He’s been approaching it as if he’s going to play every single week, which is what he’s supposed to do as a professional football player,” Covington said. “For Warren, I think he’s done a really good job in his approach to the game every single week and really done a good job of getting better in the run game and the pass game.”

Against a putrid Bengals offense, unable to get much going through the air or on the ground, it will be something of a soft landing for Brinson. A solid showing could win him opportunities down the road as a reserve whether or not Wyatt returns next week from his knee injury. So far, Huber observes, those reps have gone to undrafted DT Nazir Stackhouse, who like Wyatt and Brinson is a former Georgia Bulldog.