There’s always an unexpected twist or turn when the Green Bay Packers get together with the Minnesota Vikings. Outside of the occasional surge by the Chicago Bears, these are the two franchises who have dominated the NFC North Division for a generation. The border battles often play a large role in determining the Black and Blue champ, playoff seeding or securing a wild card bid. That’s certainly the case for the Packers who must split the season series with not only the Vikings, but the Detroit Lions in the season finale just to have a chance at playing an extra game or two come mid-January.
Aaron Rodgers returns to practice Thursday.
A favorable twist for the Packers came Thursday when Aaron Rodgers returned to Clarke Hinkle Field and worked out in balmy mid-40 degree weather, not much unlike from what is being forecast for the 3:25 PM kickoff on Sunday. A little too much weight on an extended knee left Rodgers sore when they returned from Miami and took an extra day off Wednesday to let it calm down. Rodgers feels he’ll be good to go come game day.
David Bakhtiari works for 2nd straight day off appendectomy.
Another encouraging sight was seeing David Bakhtiari work as a limited participant for a second straight day. He’s practicing for the first time since undergoing the appendectomy right before the Bears game earlier this month. Whether he’s well enough to battle in the trenches this weekend is one of those mysteries. Head Coach Matt LaFleur said the coaching and training staff will be able to glean a little about Bakhtiari’s readiness by watching him move at practice. The bigger factor may simply be communicating with the All Pro to determine how he’s feeling, especially after exertion. Don’t be surprised if he’s out there against the Vikings.
Christian Watson and Keisean Nixon are the other medical wild cards. There’s no denying the fact that these two playmakers have done as much if not more to get the Packers out of their mid-season funk of five straight losses and unhappy results in 7 of 8 weeks that left them in the precarious position of needing to win out and get some help. Watson’s impact on the offense has been unmistakable, bringing big play possibilities to the table weekly. Nixon’s dynamic returns with kickoffs and punts has energized not just the specialty units but the entire team. LaFleur indicated before practice that both players would be limited but as it turned out, they were very limited. Both took part during the team stretch but that was it for their involvement.
Watson met reporters after practice and said his hip injury is more nuisance than serious and he’s still hopeful about Sunday. He made his NFL debut against the Vikes, getting one rush for 7 yards and catching two passes for 34 but the play he won’t forget was his first, the deep go route that blew by Cameron Dantzler only to see what was a surefire 75 yard touchdown slip through his hands. The second round pick has more than made amends earning rookie of the week and rookie of the month honors after getting over hamstring and concussion issues. Watson badly wants a stronger showing if he’s able and said yes, he’d welcome another deep shot play call.
Nixon’s groin injury could eliminate the huge plus he’s delivered in field position as the league leader in kickoff return yardage and average since he took over the job from Amari Rodgers just over a month ago. Special Teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said after practice Romeo Doubs may get another shot on kickoffs.
The only other non-participant was Marcedes Lewis, it’s Thursday, he’s 38, another vet rest day.
Rodgers elevation from DNP to limited was the only other change to the injury report. Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Yosh Nijman and Aaron Jones were all limited. Jaire Alexander, Rudy Ford and Krys Barnes were full participants.
Other locker room conversations included a host of questions about one opposing player, Justin Jefferson. The second year receiver has been white out to the Minnesota and NFL record book in his first 32 professional games. With 123 receptions for over 1700 yards, he has eclipsed two legendary Minnesota receivers with new single season records, Cris Carter in catches, Randy Moss in yards. He’s obliterated the NFL record for most yards in his first two seasons and he’s less than 230 yards away from breaking Calvin Johnson’s single season yardage record.
From Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry to Alexander, the challenge was brought up. Alexander said he gets up the same for every opponent but admitted placing Jefferson high on his list. He put Davante Adams number one in the league and after last week in Miami, he joked Jaylen Waddle might have climbed in there but there’s now doubt the former LSU Tiger is among the league’s best. Barry said the job the secondary did in clamping down on Miami’s speedy deep threats a week ago will serve them well this weekend. Communication was on point after Waddle took a crosser against bad angling defenders up the sideline and avoided a couple feeble tackle attempts to score on the 84 yard play and Tyreek Hill just flat ran by the deep coverage of Ford and Adrian Amos on his 52 yard catch.
Great players said Barry, are going to make plays. You don’t shut them out. The Packers task is to no allow a 20 yard route turn into a 60 yard play. Limiting explosion is job one for the secondary.
A former secondary standout who reached the Pro Bowl, is coming back to town but only for a moment. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Pack’s number one pick from Alabama in 2014, is signing a one day ceremonial contract to officially retire from the NFL as a member of the Packers. Green Bay will oblige and Clinton-Dix will meet reporters at the stadium tomorrow, much like Morgan Burnett did during training camp. Ha Ha played five seasons for the Packers and was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2016 season.
