The calendar has turned to it’s last page of 2022 and the Green Bay Packers are on their last breath this season but motivation shouldn’t be an issue as they start preparing to meet the Chicago Bears for oh, only the 206th time. The Packers first of four wins came against the Bears in the Lambeau Field opener way back in September by a 27-10 count. They now lead the all-time series 104-95-6. Even though both teams are likely to be staying home for the playoffs with Green Bay at 4-8 and Chicago at 3-9, National Football League bragging rights are on the line at Soldier Field as both teams stand at 786 wins in their franchise histories. Sunday’s winner will become the winningest squad of all-time.
Quarterback questions are swirling about both camps. Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of last Sunday night’s loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia with a rib injury. Scans found no serious damage and Rodgers expects to take the field. He didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice but returned today to do some throwing on a limited basis.
When his hands weren’t in his pockets, Rodgers had his right thumb still taped up after breaking it way back in early October in London. Meeting reporters after Wednesday’s practice he admitted he might reluctantly have to wear some sort of protective padding for flak jacket to protect the rib cage this weekend.
In Chicago, Justin Fields is on track to return after suffering an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder two weeks ago, an injury that forced him to miss last Sunday’s loss to the Jets in New York. He told the media he’s making progress and hopes to good enough to go.
The only Packer player who appears to be out is safety Darnell Savage. Benched for the Eagles game as the starting safety in favor of Rudy Ford, Savage injured his foot on his one and only snap of the game, the opening third down play of the contest working as the dime defensive back and falling attempting to tackle Jalen Hurts on the first of several big runs.
While offensive tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins took Wednesday off, they were back in uniform and bundled up for Thursday’s practice on a sunny, but crisp, 21 degree afternoon.
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell appears close to returning after missing a month with a bruised knee. While limited in practice a week ago, he still sat out his fourth straight game against the Eagles. Head Coach Matt LaFleur admitted today Campbell could give the defense a big shot in the arm, especially after the dreadful 500 yard, 363 rushing yard performance given up last Sunday night.
Another welcome sight was wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Wednesday’s workout, kept inside the Hutson Center because of extreme wind and sporadic snow flurries, was Doubs’ first since he suffered a high ankle sprain in Detroit last month. Doubs is anxious to get back in the rotation and team with fellow draft pick Christian Watson who has been on a tear of late.
His six touchdown catches over the last three games earned him another honor as Watson today was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Month. In the three game stretch against the Cowboys, Titans and Eagles, Doubs has caught 12 passes for 265 yards and those half dozen touchdowns, including the season long 63 yarder in Philadelphia.
The Packers made a couple of personnel moves this week, promoting safety Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the active 53 man roster. He’s been a practice squad, game day call up in the past. To make room for Gaines, the Packers waived safety Jonathan Abram, the former first round pick of the Raiders who spent just a couple of weeks with the team, seeing limited action on special teams.
Gaines is an interesting story. A standout defender at Baylor University who dealt with injuries that derailed his senior season in 2019, Innis was out of football but kept working out, earning his keep as a Door Dash delivery driver for a spell. The Packers signed him in January of last year and appeared in just one game. Cut loose by Green Bay, the team decided to bring him back but he got hurt again and couldn’t survive the final cut. Nicknamed “Thump”, LaFleur was really happy for him saying Innis brings constant energy to practice and he hopes he can carry it to the special teams if not the defense. I caught up with him while still in the practice squad locker room on Wednesday, he couldn’t wait to finally move into the big boy locker room for the first time today.
With an opening on the practice squad, the Packers have brought aboard tight end Nick Guggemos, a first year free agent who played his college ball at St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. He’s spent time on the practice squads of Seattle, Washington and Cleveland.
