After "mishap" in practice, Packers' Rashan Gary is questionable to play vs Chargers
The Green Bay Packers have another reason for concern before the Los Angeles Chargers game on Sunday. Edge defender Rashan Gary hurt his shoulder during Friday practice and will be listed as questionable. Head coach Matt LaFleur said it was “a little mishap”, and even though there is no long-term concern, they will see how […]
The Green Bay Packers have another reason for concern before the Los Angeles Chargers game on Sunday. Edge defender Rashan Gary hurt his shoulder during Friday practice and will be listed as questionable. Head coach Matt LaFleur said it was “a little mishap”, and even though there is no long-term concern, they will see how he feels on gameday before making a determination.
If Gary can't go, the other edge defenders on the Packers 53-man roster are Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, and Brenton Cox. Arron Mosby, Keshawn Banks, and international pathway program member Kenneth Odumegwu are on the practice squad.
"Those guys have done a good job at competing," LaFleur said on Friday, "and they're ready to roll."
Safety issues
The Green Bay Packers will most likely be without their starting duo at safety against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Rudy Ford didn't practice for the third straight day and has been listed as doubtful because of a biceps injury. Fellow starter Darnell Savage is still on injured reserve because of a calf issue.
Therefore, veteran Jonathan Owens and rookie seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. are expected to start versus the Chargers.
It would be the second game this season where both Owens and Johnson will start, which also happened two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams. At that occasion, Ford missed the game because of a calf injury. Then he came back to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, but got hurt once again.
Even though Rudy Ford has been a solid starter for the Packers, the game will serve as another big opportunity for Johnson. Earlier this week, head coach Matt LaFleur praised the rookie's performance against the Rams.
"He did a good job," LaFleur mentioned. "He's a good, young player that continues — the more experience he gets, the better he shows."
Better news
Except Rudy Ford, every Packers active player practiced on Friday. That included a second consecutive practice for cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), and the third one for linebacker Quay Walker (groin). They are both listed as questionable to play, but a solid week of practice is a good indication.
Offensive line uncertainty
Yosh Nijman started at left tackle for the first time against the Rams, but then got hurt during the game, paving the way for second-year player Rasheed Walker to be back. Nijman was a game-time decision against the Steelers last week, which might have determined another start for Walker.
But that doesn't mean the former seventh-round pick will be a definitive starter moving forward. According to LaFleur, the left tackle job is "still a competitive situation".
The rest of the offensive line will have Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, and Zach Tom. Jenkins was limited during the week and Runyan was listed as a full participant despite a neck injury, but both are off the injury report and expected to play.
DT Kenny Clark (shoulder), RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), and WR Christian Watson (shoulder) are also good to go on Sunday.
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