Adams’ Toe ‘Getting Better Every Day’
Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams said his injured toe is feeling “a million times better,” but he didn’t practice on Thursday and didn’t sound optimistic that he’d be available for Sunday’s game against Oakland.
“This week is not out of the question. Next week’s not of the question. The week after that,” Adams said. “It’s going to be day-to-day.”
Adams suffered a turf-toe injury during the fourth quarter of the Packers’ failed comeback against Philadelphia on Sept. 26. Last week, he called it a “major” injury that he would return from once fully healthy rather than coming back too soon, aggravating the injury and having it become an ongoing issue deep into the season.
“It’s not even close” to as bad as it was in the days following the injury, he said. “It’s a million times better. I’m able to do a lot more movement in it, more range of motion and that’s the type of stuff that I need and is a good sign for me to get back.”
Adams continues to get treatment to build up to the final test which would be, well, an on-field test. Can he do all the things necessary for a receiver, from accelerating to pushing off to elevating?
“The only way to know that it’s ready is by testing it,” Adams said. “So, I’ve got to get out and obviously simulate some stuff for the coaches and for the training staff to let them know I’m ready to go. We’re getting there.”
The Packers are 5-1 and in first place in the NFC North, including 2-0 without Adams.
“It’s big definitely and obviously it takes pressure off me but, at the same time, it’s not much pressure because, like I told you, I’m coming back when I’m healed and when I’m ready to go,” he said. “Whenever that is, I’m not quite sure yet still but I’m getting better every day.”
Even while missing two games, Adams leads the team with 25 receptions for 378 yards. The Packers’ receiver situation could be a mess on Sunday, with Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison also missing practice on Thursday. Allen Lazard saved the day on Monday night at Detroit, Darrius Shepherd struggled in that game and Jake Kumerow has caught only three passes for 26 yards while getting ample playing time the last two weeks.
If all three of the Packers’ top receivers are down, somebody is going to have to step to the forefront against the Raiders.
“It’s always a next-man-up mentality, so it’s not going to change now,” Adams said. “Having us three down right now is tough and it’s putting the team in a tough situation, but it’s next man up. We’ve got other guys who are extremely capable so they’ve just got to rise to the occasion.”
