Packers receive big boost during Thursday's practice
The Green Bay Packers received a big boost on Thursday when starting linebacker Quay Walker returned to practice. Walker suffered a concussion on the pick-six against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Per Pack-a-Day Podcast's Andy Herman, star running back Aaron Jones was seen inside rehabbing the hamstring he injured last Sunday against the Bears. […]
The Green Bay Packers received a big boost on Thursday when starting linebacker Quay Walker returned to practice. Walker suffered a concussion on the pick-six against the Chicago Bears in Week 1.
Per Pack-a-Day Podcast's Andy Herman, star running back Aaron Jones was seen inside rehabbing the hamstring he injured last Sunday against the Bears. Jones was in pads and had his helmet on, which Packers head coach Matt LaFleur deemed a "good sign".
"Anytime he's out there and he's got a helmet on and I think that's a good sign," LaFleur told reporters after practice.
Walker's return is huge because he will be needed badly on Sunday when the Packers take on the Atlanta Falcons. Arthur's Smith's rushing attack is one of the NFL's most effective and diverse attacks, so the Packers defense is going to need all hands on deck when it comes to the front seven.
It's still unclear if he's going to play, but Thursday is a great step in the right direction. The media is only allowed to view a certain portion of practice, so no one currently knows if Walker went through contract drills. But, based off the NFL's five-phase protocol, he should be at either Phase 3 or Phase 4, with Phase 5 being the final test, obviously.
Its also going to need the guys in the backend of the secondary to show up, too. The best part about that is everyone played pretty damn well against the Bears' rushing attack, so, there's reason to think it can be repeated in Week 2.
"It was Darnell [Savage]. It was Rudy Ford. Keisean [Nixon] – they all had big plays in that game," LaFleur told reporters Wednesday. "I think you always expect your bigs, whether it's the front seven on defense, whether it's your offensive line on offense, to kind of be the enforcers. But to get that from one of your skill positions, I think that intensifies the physicality of your defense or offense. Whatever side of the ball you're on. So I think that's an important part of it."
Update: Jones was officially listed as a non-participant. It's pretty much the same injury report as the day before, but with Walker upgraded to limited and Daniel Whelan's addition. The Packers punter was still a full participant despite being listed with a finger issue. That will be something to check in on, tomorrow.
The Falcons' report mimics Wednesday's, with Campbell and Smith returning after having off-days.
Packers prepping for totally different challenge vs. Falcons
The NFL is a week-to-week game and the Packers have a completely different challenge awaiting them in Week 2.
Featured image via Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
