Matt LaFleur gives an update on two needed player’s injury status
The Green Bay Packers have quite a few names on their injury report. Several are starters. The hope is that some of them will be able to play on Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. The Packers have dealt with significant injuries all season. But this week’s injury report is especially concerning given that the Packers play arguably the best team in the NFL this week. Head Coach Matt LaFleur provided an update Friday on two key players for the Packers.
Rashan Gary sustained a concussion during the Packers’ Week 7 loss to the Washington Commanders. He did not practice Wednesday but had limited participation practice on Thursday. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, LaFleur said Gary was still in the concussion protocol but was still in the mix at being able to play against the Bills.
LaFleur said Rashan Gary was still in the concussion protocol as of 7 a.m., but he added that Gary is trending toward being cleared in time for Sunday night’s game.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 28, 2022
The Packers might have a wide receiver back
Gaps in the Packers’ wide receiver corps have been widely discussed over the past month. The Packers were hoping to get their second-round draft pick, Christian Watson, back on the field this week. Watson had been battling a hamstring injury. He returned to practice on Wednesday. According to Rob Demovsky with ESPN, LaFleur said he was optimistic about Watson being able to play in Week 8.
“He’s gotten through two practices. We’ll see how he does today. I would say I’m cautiously optimistic. “We certainly do need him but we’re not going to treat him any differently than if (other WRs) were available.”
Matt LaFleur on Packers WR Christian Watson (hamstring): "He's gotten through two practices. We'll see how he does today. I would say I'm cautiously optimistic.
"We certainly do need him but we're not going to treat him any differently than if (other WRs) were available."
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 28, 2022
Watson being back could be tremendous for the Packers. Last week, Sammy Watkins returned for the Packers. Having Watson and Watkins available can help the offense provide a deep threat that has been missing in the passing game most of the year. To have a chance to go deep, the Packers will have to hope their offensive line can hold a block for a few seconds. That could depend on the status of left tackle David Bakhtiari, whose status will be fluid until game time.
