The first victory Monday behind them, a Tuesday off and the 1-1 Green Bay Packers are back at it, opening their preparation for a weekend on the Gulf Coast as they head to Tampa Bay to meet the 2-0 Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The former division rivals will meet for the first time since Tom Brady and the Bucs denied Aaron Rodgers and the Pack a trip to the Super Bowl with the 31-26 2020 NFC Championship Game victory at Lambeau Field.
Both 12’s are still going strong. Brady, now 45, is in his 23rd season, third in Florida. Rodgers has hit year 18 in his career and will turn 39 later this season. As is customary, the Packer quarterback held court with reporters today after practice. He spent a good deal of time talking about the other number 12. Numbers began his session when he was asked about surpassing 450 career touchdown passes last Sunday night in the 27-10 victory over the Bears:
The relationship with his “The Match” golf partner will have to take a backseat however to a Tampa Bay defense that been the stingiest in the league over the first two weekends, allowing just 13 points, putting up 10 sacks with a half dozen takeaways. They’ve had carry the team hit by injuries and discipline on the offensive side of the ball. Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans will indeed miss the game, his one game suspension over his actions last Sunday in New Orleans was upheld after Tuesday’s appeal hearing. The two remaining veteran receivers, Chris Godwin and Julio Jones, missed last week and did not participate in today’s practice. Running back Gio Bernard was placed on injured reserve, joining All Pro center Ryan Jensen who got injured during camp.
As for the Packers workout. The offensive line was on the opposite side of Clark Hinkle Field.
Conspicuous by his absence was David Bakhtiari. He wasn’t in uniform and wasn’t on the field. The surgically repaired (times 3) knee had him listed as DNP. Last week Head Coach Matt LaFleur said Bakhtiari won’t practice on consecutive days even when he’s back on the field and playing but it’s been a week since he last took part in uniform. When asked today if he has any idea if the All Pro will play this Sunday, LaFleur said no. He was quick to add young Yosh Nijman has more than held his own at left tackle and the game plans haven’t changed because of Bakhtiari’s absence.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb also stayed home with an undisclosed illness. Everyone else participated however Elgton Jenkins (knee), Allen Lazard (ankle), Marcedes Lewis (groin), Sammy Watkins (hamstring) and Christian Watson (hamstring) were all listed as limited.
On Tuesday, the Packers bolstered their linebacking depth with Krys Barnes now on injured reserve. General Manager Brian Gutekunst signed D.Q. Thomas to the practice squad. The 6-2, 219 pound linebacker is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Middle Tennessee State who was signed by the New York Jets, made it through training camp and spent the first week on their practice squad before getting released. Thomas put up eye opening numbers in college, 20.5 sacks for his career and a school record breaking 53 tackles for loss. To make room on the squad, the Packers have waived veteran wide receiver Travis Fulgham.
