Packers-Bears Wednesday Injury Report: All Receivers Practice
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have used a revolving door of receivers for most of the season.
With a trip to the playoffs at stake on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Jordan Love might have his full receiver corps on the field.
Christian Watson, who missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, practiced for the first time since going down late in the victory over Kansas City.
“It’s just going to be his ability to get through the week and show us and prove to us that he can play,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “I know he’s eager to be out there. I think he had a good week last week in terms of his ability to run and, hopefully, we can stack that and we’ll have him available for Sunday. Because he’ll definitely bring a spark, even if it’s on a limited basis.”
Dontayvion Wicks, who was out last week with the chest injury sustained late in the first half at Carolina, practiced after missing all three practices last week.
Record-setting rookie receiver Jayden Reed, who missed the second half last week with a chest injury sustained when he got crushed on a punt return, was back at practice, as well. Tests on Sunday and Monday came out clean.
“I feel pretty good,” he said. “We just taking it day-by-day, though. It’s the process, you know what I’m saying? Got to take it day by day, see where we at and then go from there.”
Showing his toughness, Reed played two more series after the injury and capped the first half with his second touchdown of the day.
“It’s huge,” quarterback Jordan Love said of Reed’s impact. “Obviously, you see what he did. Two touchdowns; the second touchdown, just catching that route, making some guys miss, take it to the house. So, it’s awesome. I’m proud of him, just the way he’s competing, battling and growing every week. So, it’s awesome we can get him out there and get him the ball.”
Having all the receivers healthy and ready to go would be a huge plus as the Packers attack a powerful Chicago defense that leads the NFL in interceptions for the season and points allowed the last five games.
That they practiced on Wednesday was a good sign, even though practice other than an individual-skills period was conducted at a jog-through tempo.
Five players did not head out for the start of practice: safety Rudy Ford, running back AJ Dillon, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, left guard Elgton Jenkins and outside linebacker Preston Smith.
Dillon aggravated his broken thumb during the victory over the Vikings; the NBC cameras caught him screaming in pain at one point. In that game, Aaron Jones played 42 snaps, Patrick Taylor 20 and Dillon 11. A week earlier at Carolina, the breakdown was similar: 34 snaps for Jones, 20 for Taylor and 12 for Dillon.
McDuffie suffered a concussion as part of a sack he shared with Colby Wooden. He was in the back of the Don Hutson Center riding an exercise bike. If McDuffie can’t play, veteran De’Vondre Campbell might be back in the lineup. After missing the last two games with a stinger, Campbell was back at practice.
Jenkins has been given a day off for several weeks. Late in Sunday’s game, he got hit from behind on a running play and missed the last four plays due to knee and ankle injuries. While the play looked bad, the injury is not expected to be a factor on Sunday.
For what it’s worth, it’s 21-6 on the initial injury report. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson and tight end Cole Kmet did not practice for Chicago.
Packers Wednesday Injury Report
DNP: RB AJ Dillon (thumb), S Rudy Ford (hamstring), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), LB Isaiah McDuffie (concussion), OLB Preston Smith.
Limited: S Zayne Anderson (knee), RB Aaron Jones (knee/finger), C Josh Myers (neck), TE Luke Musgrave (kidney), CB/KR Keisean Nixon (quad), S Jonathan Owens (knee), WR Jayden Reed (chest), DT TJ Slaton (knee/foot), LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Christian Watson (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (chest).
Full: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), OT Luke Tenua (ankle), RB Emanuel Wilson (shoulder).
Bears Wednesday Injury Report
DNP: QB Tyson Bagent (illness), CB Jaylon Johnson (shoulder), TE Cole Kmet (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (concussion), LS Patrick Scales (foot).
Limited: WR D.J. Moore (ankle).
