The Green Bay Packers returned to the practice field on Wednesday. Since last Sunday’s game, there is a growing concern of what players would be practicing this week. Overall, the Packers had a positive update on the injury front during the first practice leading up to the playoff game in Philadelphia. All eyes will be on the Packers on the injury report this week.
On the optimistic side of things, the Packers saw LB Quay Walker and S Evan Williams return to practice yesterday. Quay Walker left the Seahawk game in Week 15 with an ankle injury. This is the first time Walker has returned since that game. Evan Williams, who injured his quadricep in practice before the Saints game in Week 16, also returned to the practice field. WR Romeo Doubs is back as well. Doubs fell under the weather the night before the Bears game and was too ill to play. Doubs returning will be instrumental for the Packers after the news of WR Christian Watson tearing his ACL.
QB Jordan Love practiced as well. Love was declared a “limited” participant on the official Packers Injury Report. Additionally, QB Malik Willis was a “limited” participant with a thumb injury. It is not ideal that both Packers QB are dealing an injury. Love did tell the media that the numbness is gone but that his elbow is still sore. Love did say, “We’ll see. Yeah, I’m hopeful.”, when asked if he will play on Sunday. Matt LaFleur told the media that Love did do some throwing in practice. The Packers are holding their cards awfully close to the chest this week. Similar to the Packers, the Eagles have two injured QBs as well. QB Jalen Hurts is still in concussion protocol but he did return to practice on Wednesday. Backup QB Kenny Pickett, who is battling a rib injury, practiced on a limited basis as well
All Hands on Deck For the Packers in Philadelphia
The status of several key players is certainly up in the air at the moment. On Monday, LaFleur told the media that he is “optimistic” that Quay Walker will return but he was less committal in regards to Evan Williams’ status. In addition, DL TJ Slaton did not practice on Wednesday. With the Packers facing Saquon Barkley this week, Slaton’s status will be another one to keep a close on eye. His presence up front in the defensive run attack is critical for Green Bay.
With these injuries surrounding the Packers, it will be all hands on deck. Without Christian Watson, expect WRs Bo Melton and Malik Heath to see significant playing time. Melton did catch a touchdown in last year’s Divisional Round game in San Francisco. Heath made a big catch on 3rd and long against the Bears and he even scored a go ahead touchdown in the final minutes against the New York Giants last season. These two wide receivers do have experience in high pressure situations which is worth noting for Green Bay.
If Evans Williams is healthy enough to play, that will be a big boost to a Packers secondary who will be without CB Jaire Alexander and possibly S Zayne Anderson, who is still in concussion protocol. Overall, the injury news out of Green Bay on Wednesday was rather positive. Hopefully, Love, Williams, and Walker will continue to trend in the right direction. In a win or go home situation, expect the Packers to do everything they can to help these players play on Sunday. It will be worth the time to keep monitoring the Packers and, even, the Eagles Injury Reports as the week carries on.
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