GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The routine is the same, it’s just the days are different. With the Packers getting set to take on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night at Lambeau Field, the weekly grind, coming back from the bye, got pushed back a day so while the calendar said Friday, it was a Packer Thursday and a rare end of week finish before heading to the fish fry at the stadium.
The shoulder pads went on with long underwear underneath as the team worked out on Clark Hinkle Field with off and on snow flurries and cooler temperatures from Thursday which of course was a Wednesday. They’ll be cooler still come Monday, which thankfully, will be a real Monday.
A welcome sight at practice was Elgton Jenkins.
Elgton Jenkins gets back in pads.
Getting at least one day off a week since returning from last year’s ACL surgery, Jenkins was a limited participant but almost a certainty to play. There were no other changes to the second injury report except for tight end Marcedes Lewis who got his customary veteran day of rest. Aaron Jones remained limited but is expected to go.
David Bakhtiari didn’t participate again and he’ll be listed on that injury report for a while. While Head Coach Matt LaFleur didn’t rule him out, it’s a real long shot and after practice, I was among a couple of other reporters who got the lowdown on how David went down with appendicitis. It all began the Thursday night before the Bears game in Chicago earlier this month and it became just the latest challenge in what’s two weeks shy of two years of medical calamities. To begin the conversation, Bakhtiari was asked if he had any idea when he might return to duty.
A very close call indeed. Bakhtiari was in pretty good spirits and looked fine but said there’s no way to tell how the abdominal surgery will heal.
Zach Tom will man the blind side in the meantime. The draft choice from Wake Forest has been very nonchalant about being thrust into spot duty this rookie year. This will be Tom’s fourth game, getting calls to play both left guard and tackle, on one occasion, that call came just hours before kickoff. At least he had a weekend to prep for the Bears and now through the bye week break and a full week of practice to prepare for the Rams. Head Coach Matt LaFleur said Tom’s “not playing like a rookie.”, and Aaron Rodgers also gives Zach a lot of credit. More than once at the last minute, it’s been, “hey kid, go in there” and Rodgers said he’s handled it all very well.
Romeo Doubs is due to make his return after sitting out since the Detroit Lions game with a high ankle sprain. LaFleur wants to temper expectations for Doubs reminding reporters today that he’s been out for a month and will work his way back into the rotation but it’s encouraging the veteran receivers are in good health and Christian Watson is on a tear, giving Rodgers plenty of choices even if Doubs gets limited snaps.
LaFleur also reminded reporters that while yes, the Los Angeles offense won’t consist of Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp but rather Baker Mayfield and Vann Jefferson, the Rams defense is still very formidable even if Aaron Donald sits out a third straight game with his own high ankle sprain. LaFleur mentioned Jalen Ramsey first, saying he’s among, if not the top corner in the league. Bobby Wagner is not slowing down at inside linebacker after his perennial Pro Bowl level of play for so long in Seattle. Leonard Floyd the ex-Bear, still brings heat off the edge and the Mayfield led rally against the Las Vegas Raiders happened in part because the defense was able to collapse Derek Carr’s pocket much of the night.
One more practice to come tomorrow, making it a Friday on a Saturday. I’ll appreciate a regular Sunday and like the Packers, get ready for some football. Important football at the that, the winner will keep faint hope alive, the loser must endure three more weeks thinking about next year.
