Packers place DL Dean Lowry on IR with calf injury

Dean Lowry‘s streak of 101 straight regular-season games will come to an end. The Packers placed the veteran defensive lineman on IR on Tuesday.

The seventh-year defender suffered a calf injury against the Dolphins. To replace him on the roster, the Packers signed wide receiver Bo Melton from their practice squad. The team also released linebacker Tipa Galeai from IR, weeks after opting against using one of its IR activations on him.

In order for Lowry to be activated again this season, the Packers would need to reach the divisional round. While Green Bay has accomplished this three years running, the team is 7-8 and still has an uphill battle to make the playoffs. Tuesday’s transaction is likely to end Lowry’s season.

Lowry, 28, has been with the Packers since they drafted him in the 2016 fourth round. He has started 80 career games, becoming a primary starter during Matt LaFleur’s time in Green Bay. The Northwestern product recorded five sacks last season but has only a half-sack this year. Still, Lowry has maintained a regular role on a defensive line housing Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, and first-round pick Devonte Wyatt. Lowry has played 53% of the Packers’ defensive snaps this season.