Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Isaiah McDuffie has taken a big step forward this season. While the third-year man out of Boston College started the 2023 campaign as a backup and core member of the special teams units, he has stepped into the starting lineup when injuries hit and has taken a significant step forward with his play on defense.

McDuffie has started four of the Packers eight games at inside linebacker this season due to injuries to both starters at the position, De’Vondre Campbell, and Quay Walker. Despite starting only half the team’s games and playing only 47 percent of the Packers defensive snaps, he presently ranks third on the team with 43 total tackles. That includes three tackles for loss, two of which came in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to notice the strong play of McDuffie who was starting in place of Quay Walker in that game. “Isaiah McDuffie, I felt like he was all over the place, and our guys were making plays. They were having fun, and they were competing, and that’s really all you can ask for is guys trusting what you see in front of you and going out and playing fast, playing physical and playing together and doing your job.”

McDuffie did a great job of helping to stuff the Rams running game.  and most of his six solo tackles in the game came close to the line of scrimmage. He’s been aggressive and a sound tackler.

In the game, the Packers held the Rams to just 68 yards rushing on 26 carries or an average of less than three yards per carry.

Missed tackles have been a problem for the Packers in recent years, but through eight games, McDuffie has missed only two tackles according to pro-football-reference.com.

For the former Boston College star, there have been a few simple reasons for his progress in this, his third NFL campaign.

“Another year of experience,” said McDuffie of his play this season. “Again, it just starts up front, and they played very well yesterday, and it helped me play good.”

McDuffie’s football intelligence came in handy when he replaced Campbell in the lineup because he was asked to call the defensive signals on short notice. He stepped up and did a very good job of it.

When both Campbell and Walker are healthy, they are likely to get the majority of the reps, but McDuffie knows he always has to be ready to contribute on defense.

“You just have to have the mentality next man up, honestly,” said McDuffie on Monday. “Really the approach you have to take is always focus on your job and if something happens, be ready. If you’re ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

McDuffie was a productive player in college. But his lack of size helped him slide to the 6^th round of the 2021 NFL Draft. McDuffie was always considered an intelligent football player but at 6’1” and 227 pounds, his biggest issue was shedding blocks to make plays. But this season he’s done a better job of that and the results on the field have been noticeable.

Linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti had praise for McDuffie and fellow backup inside linebacker Eric Wilson last month for the job they’ve done so far this season.

“I was pretty proud of the way Isaiah and Eric stepped up in the last game and just overall how they are as guys around the building,” Olivadotti said. “No matter the circumstances, they’re the same every day, and they’re going to come to work every day and really try to put their best foot forward and get themselves prepared the same all the time, which makes everybody’s life easier because now De’Vondre can concentrate on getting himself healthy.”

The Packers are still not certain when Walker will be back in the lineup. He didn’t practice Wednesday because of a groin injury. If he’s not ready, McDuffie will be ready to fill in and do his job. And the way he’s gone about it will give his teammates and his coaches confidence that the job is in good hands with McDuffie.