The Green Bay Packers will need all hands on deck as they face a gritty Tampa Bay team on Sunday. Both are sitting at 6-7, and although a loss would not eliminate either mathematically, it definitely will make a playoff destiny harder to obtain if they do not leave the field with a victory. This latest news coming from the Green Bay Packers team is a serious issue to continue to monitor, but is promising for a team fighting for their post-season lives.
Green Bay Packers Key Offensive Update
The Green Bay Packers had been thinking about taking a cautious approach with Aaron Jones who is dealing with an ongoing knee injury. Since late Saturday evening, there has been a confirmation of his status to play in the upcoming game. With a report from Adam Schefter, Jones is “expected to play vs the Buccaneers.”
Even though it was looking like he was going to play throughout the week, and that his status was never likely in actual doubt, the Green Bay Packers will need to keep a close eye on how Jones progresses through the game. His return to play from injury however was looking more and more likely throughout the week.
In front of reporters he shared the following on Thursday:
I’m feeling a lot better, got to move around today in practice. Making great strides, I’m going to take it day by day, but I’m feeling confident for Sunday.
Jones has missed 6 games this season due to injury. And after practice on Thursday, he carried an upbeat and positive energy that really seemed to indicate his return. For him it appears that running was not a comfortable aspect of his physical ability up until this week following his MCL injury against the Chargers.
When addressing the biggest hurdle, to be able to get to 100% he said:
You’re never really able to get to top speed after (gave a shoulder shrug) Just being able to run comfortably and picking my knees up.
Based on his discussions with reports, it seems like he was close to seeing playing time against the Giants, but when he warmed up to test how his knee was holding up, the decision was made to hold off on his return.
His last game action came against the Chargers in late November. He was a limited participant that night, as he finished with only 4 carries in that game, before leaving the playing area with an MCL sprain.
Green Bay Packers Defense Receiver To Cover
Another report that Adam Schefter released addressed something that the Green Bay Packers secondary will not be happy to hear. Speedster Chris Godwin, who was also listed as questionable, is also “expected to play”. When fully healthy he offers a devastating ability to put constant pressure on opposing secondaries.
After a limited practice week, he was a full go on Friday, indicating that he was likely to be good to play on Sunday. Coming off of being the most targeted receiver, Godwin was also managing a knee issue. Being shut down Wednesday, it seems like his status and lack of practice participation was just a chance to give Godwin more time to recuperate, as he played over 80% of the offensive snaps in their latest game.
With the welcomed news of Aaron Jones returning, he will need to take some of the pressure off of Jordan Love, and be a security blanket, as the Packers go for their seventh win of the season.
