GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Inexperienced Bay Packers are headed in the precise course at receiver, not less than for Sunday's residence playoff recreation or loss in opposition to the Chicago Bears.
For the second day in a row, all of Inexperienced Bay's busted receivers practiced. Not like Wednesday's follow, which was run at a quick tempo to present the gamers a little bit of a break after Sunday night time's win in Minnesota, Thursday's follow was probably the most in depth of the week.
That receiver Christian Watson on the market was an enormous deal. It was his first 11-on-11 rep since injuring his hamstring within the win over the Chiefs. After lacking the final 4 video games, the group's finest large risk seems able to go.
“For me, I'm approaching every single day like I've obtained to go,” Watson stated. “God prepared, they let me go and I confirmed them every little thing they wanted to see to let me go. So I method it like a standard recreation week, it doesn’t matter what, so I feel I’ve probability to play as a result of I'm attacking it like I'm going to play.”
Rookie receiver Jayden Reed, who leads the group with 60 receptions and 681 yards and is tied with Romeo Doubs for the group lead with eight landing catches, was additionally again on the sector after sitting out the second half at Minnesota with a chest harm. harm.
Rookie receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who had a breakout recreation with six catches for 97 yards in opposition to Tampa Bay earlier than struggling a chest harm on a late first-half landing at Carolina, additionally practiced after being inactive in opposition to Minnesota.
“With the ability to let all of us exit and play quick and unfastened and play collectively goes to be large for us,” Watson stated.
Rookie Luke Musgrave stays on injured reserve however has practiced each days this week following a kidney harm suffered in opposition to the Chargers on Nov. 19. Coach Matt LaFleur stated it was “practical” that Musgrave would play Sunday.
Musgrave agreed.
“I really feel higher than yesterday, so I feel we're stepping into the precise course,” he stated.
Now issues are extra troubling for LaFleur. The identical 5 gamers who didn’t follow Wednesday — operating again AJ Dillon (thumb), security Rudy Ford (hamstring), left guard Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (concussion) and outdoors linebacker Preston Smith (ankle) — he didn’t follow once more on Thursday.
All 5 play vital roles, whether or not it's Jenkins because the group's finest blocker or Smith as maybe the group's most constant front-seven defender.
After 1.5 sacks in opposition to Carolina and one in opposition to Minnesota, Smith is as much as eight sacks whereas offering regular protection.
“He's been a mannequin of reliability all through his profession,” LaFleur stated of Smith, a ninth-year professional who has missed only one recreation in his profession. “So every time he's not on the market, you understand it's actual. So we'll see. In fact we hope for him, however we nonetheless have a couple of days.”
Jenkins was hit from behind by a Vikings sort out late within the recreation and missed the ultimate 4 performs. A supply stated earlier within the week that Jenkins ought to play, however that he missed the primary two practices might sign that he received't be at his finest in opposition to the Bears' protection, which ranks No. 1 within the league in opposition to the run.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to rise up and make one other play,” Jenkins stated. “I feel we led by 20 factors so we had probability to win. However proper now I really feel good. I really feel good.”
McDuffie, who was on the sector for a number of minutes final week after struggling a concussion, is second on the group with 82 tackles. Former All-Professional De'Vondre Campbell missed the final two weeks however practiced each days this week.
For Chicago, cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed the second day of follow however stated he’ll play. Cole Kmet, who was inactive final week, returned to follow. Khalil Herbert was added as a restricted participant.
Listed here are the harm reviews.
Packers Thursday harm report
DNP: RB AJ Dillon (thumb), S Rudy Ford (hamstring), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), LB Isaiah McDuffie (concussion), OLB Preston Smith (ankle).
Restricted: RB Aaron Jones (knee/finger), TE Luke Musgrave (kidney), S Jonathan Owens (knee), WR Jayden Reed (chest), DT TJ Slaton (knee/foot), WR Christian Watson (hamstring).
Full: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), S Zayne Anderson (knee), LB De'Vondre Campbell (neck), C Josh Myers (neck), CB/KR Keisean Nixon (quad), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), OT Luke Tenuta ( ankle), LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Dontayvion Wicks (chest), RB Emanuel Wilson (shoulder).
The Bears are reporting an harm on Thursday
DNP: QB Tyson Bagent (sickness), CB Jaylon Johnson (shoulder), TE Marcedes Lewis (relaxation), WR Darnell Mooney (concussion), LS Patrick Scales (foot).
Restricted: RB Khalil Herbert (again), TE Cole Kmet (knee), WR DJ Moore (ankle).
