Updates: Will Packers RBs Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon Play vs. Buccaneers?
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is expected to be back in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after missing the last three games with a knee injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“I feel I’m confident,” Jones said this week.
The confidence is a lot less with Jones’ backfield sidekick, AJ Dillon. A source told Packer Central on Sunday morning that Dillon will not play with a broken thumb. The decision was made on Saturday.
Dillon practiced on Friday with a pad to protect the thumb. Afterward, when asked if pain or ball security was the primary issue, Dillon said with a laugh, “All the above. It’s broken.”
Thus, the expected return of Jones couldn’t come at a better time.
Jones suffered a knee injury against the Chargers last month and missed the last three games.
“He did what he needed to do today,” coach Matt LaFleur said after listing Jones as questionable on Friday’s final injury report.
In a pregame interview on Sunday, LaFleur said Jones would be on limited reps, meaning key opportunities for Patrick Taylor and Kenyan Drake.
Jones practiced all week, just like he did last week. However, last week’s practices were meant to propel him forward into this week, with an eye on getting Jones back on the field against the Buccaneers.
This week, he was able to turn it loose to provide that confidence that his knee is good to go.
“I feel that’s a great sign,” Jones said. “That’s the little intricacies to the game that really get hit a lot that people may not see or may look like they’re just going one speed, but it’s a lot of stop and start, a lot of cutting, putting your foot in the group.”
For Jones to play, it will be a group decisions between Jones and the training staff.
“We always have input on what’s going on with our bodies,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be out there, but they’re going to always look out for the best of us. They’re going to protect us from ourselves, even when we don’t want to be protected. I respect them for that. I think that’s knowing your personnel because you have guys who are opposite and then guys you literally got to pull off the field.”
The Buccaneers will be without one of their stud players, linebacker Devin White.
The Packers listed receiver Christian Watson as doubtful and seven players as questionable, including Jones’ tag-team partner.
The timing of Jones’ return comes at a perfect time with Dillon having sustained a broken thumb last week against the Giants.
“We’ve had injuries across the board, but I think guys have done a great job of the next-man-up mentality, the mentality we always have around here,” Jones said. “We bring guys in for a reason. At some point, their name or their number is going to be called and we’re going to need them. Everybody does a great job of stepping up but if we could stay healthy – I know it’s hard to do. It’s football. You never know what’s going to happen – but if we could get on the other side of that, I think we’d be good. “
With Jones and Dillon questionable at running back Christian Watson doubtful and Dontayvion Wicks questionable at receiver, the Packers made a couple roster moves on Saturday.
