Packers get positive update about pass catchers, but running backs are a concern
The Green Bay Packers offense received positive and negative pieces of news on Thursday, three games ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game next Sunday. Rookie wide receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, both handling ankle injuries, practiced, which is a good sign for their availability. However, the scenario is not as positive in regards […]
The Green Bay Packers offense received positive and negative pieces of news on Thursday, three games ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game next Sunday. Rookie wide receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, both handling ankle injuries, practiced, which is a good sign for their availability.
However, the scenario is not as positive in regards to Christian Watson. The second-year wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury two games ago, against the Kansas City Chiefs, and won't practice this week — a strong indication that he won't face the Bucs.
Running back concerns
There's not much clarity about what the running back room will be on Sunday. Starter Aaron Jones has missed three consecutive games because of an MCL sprain. He's practiced on a limited basis, but Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said they will have a better indication of his status on Friday, when the team will make a more intense activity.
To get things even more problematic, AJ Dillon injured his thumb in the loss to the New York Giants. He didn't practice on Wednesday and Thursday. LaFleur didn't want to give details, but Dillon himself said it's a fracture. The fourth-year player got hurt on the final drive of the game and played through it.
When asked if there was concern about Dillon's ability to hold onto the ball or if it was medically unsafe for him to play, LaFleur said "yes", but he refused to specify to which question his answer referred.
Outside of Jones and Dillon, Patrick Taylor is the only running back on the Packers active 53-man roster. The practice squad has Kenyan Drake, who was elevated for gameday against the Giants but didn't have any snaps, and undrafted rookie Ellis Merriweather.
More practice nuggets
Linebacker Quay Walker, who didn't face the Giants because of a shoulder injury, returned to practice on Thursday. Cornerback Eric Stokes practiced again, even though he's still on his 21-day window to return from the injured reserve.
Beyond AJ Dillon and Christian Watson, the other players who didn't practice were safety Darnell Savage (shoulder) and guard Elgton Jenkins (shoulder).
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