After beginning the season with a 2-5 record, the Green Bay Packers are starting to find their rhythm as a team. They have won their last three games, including a win versus the reigning super bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs last week.
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers now sit at 6-6 in the NFC North standings, tied for second place with the Minnesota Vikings. While they have dealt with injuries on both sides of the ball, getting these two playmakers back in the lineup would add a boost to their chances at a playoff push.
Running Back Aaron Jones Returned to Practice on Thursday for Green Bay Packers
The Packers backfield has been banged up throughout the season. No one more than Aaron Jones, who has missed six games this season due to injuries. The most recent injury Jones suffered on November 19th versus the Los Angeles Chargers was an MCL Sprain that has kept him out for the last 2 contests.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur said that Jones practiced in a limited fashion. The Packers don’t play until Monday night this week, so the extra day may provide Jones the reps he needs to feel comfortable suiting up.
Whenever he does feel ready to get back on the field, expect Jones to re-take the lead back role from AJ Dillon, who carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards in Sunday night’s victory over the Chiefs.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who missed last week’s contest versus Kansas City with a shoulder injury, was also seen on the practice field today. Alexander practiced in limited fashion all last week leading up to the contest, but felt the shoulder wasn’t 100 percent.
Alexander will have a chance to suit up Monday night. If he is ruled out, expect Keisean Nixon and Corey Ballentine to play extended snaps.
Wide Receiver Christian Watson Not Seen on the Practice Field Thursday
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
While Green Bay retained two key playmakers at practice today, Christian Watson was not seen on the field. Watson had his best outing of the season versus Kansas City, catching 7 of his 9 targets for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns before going down late in the game with a hamstring injury.
Watson was clearly in pain while going down and needed assistance getting off the field. Watson missed the first three games of the season due to a hamstring injury. So, not seeing him at Thursday’s practice should raise concern heading into Monday night’s game.
Watson will have a couple more chances to get some on-field work this week. Expect Jayden Reed and Dontavion Wicks to log more snaps if he is ruled out.
Darnell Savage and Quay Walker, who both finished the game Sunday night versus the Chiefs, were also not seen at practice today. Both Savage and Walker dealt with injuries earlier in the season and will be monitored throughout the week leading up to the game on Monday, but neither Savage nor Walker’s injuries were reported to be serious.
The Green Bay Packers will have two more practices before traveling to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where they will take on the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
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