After failing to show up in Week 1 for another year, the Green Bay Packers’ opening-day woes can now be called a pattern. Something must change. But nothing can be done about their loss to the Minnesota Vikings now. There are 16 weeks left, and they’ll have another matchup against the Vikings later this season.
So the Packers are on to the Chicago Bears. After an upset win at home against the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago’s confidence is high. Did Soldier Field produce one of the worst playing surfaces in recent NFL history last Sunday? Sure. But it’s still the Bears against Aaron Rodgers and a Packers team looking for redemption. LaFleur has also never lost back-to-back regular-season games.
The defense needs to step up. The running game should become the focus, which will help open up the receiving game. The rookie wide receivers need to create some separation. But, most importantly, this Packers team will need to get healthy and stay that way. They will hopefully get some players back for Sunday’s game. Let’s break down their current injury report and see what we can expect.
Offensive Line
We may as well start with the elephant in the room, David Bakhtiari. Bak returned to practice on Wednesday but still doesn’t look 100%. While some fans are starting to panic about it, we can’t jump to completely negative conclusions yet.
Yes, multiple injuries have kept him from football for quite a while now. But he is past the surgeries he needs, and at least he’s in pads and practicing. The primary issue is that he practiced with a bit of a limp.
And when Bakhtiari returns, they will take it easy and ramp him back up. Matt LaFleur said he won’t practice three days in a row and will get plenty of rest. If you don’t see No. 69 until much later in the season, there will be real cause for concern. If that’s the case, you might not see him at all.
Elgton Jenkins also returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. Fans obviously want their best two offensive linemen back, but rushing them onto the field could cause more harm than good. If they are not 100%, they can’t help protect Rodgers any better than their current fill-ins. If the staff tries to hurry it, they could re-aggravate their injuries and cause permanent damage.
Jon Runyan Jr. is still in concussion protocol. There is a good chance he will not play this Sunday, either. The team could be very thin at offensive line. That means Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon will have to grind out every yard to get the running game going. The receivers will also need to get open and do it quickly. There is a chance the Bears won’t be pushovers this year.
Wide Receivers
Allen Lazard returned to the practice on Wednesday. He has an ankle injury, which is not ideal for a wide receiver. The current WR1 for the Green and Gold should make his season debut this week at Lambeau unless there are more major setbacks.
Finding the wide receivers’ identity this year will be tricky. Rodgers trusts Lazard and Randall Cobb the most and will look to them whenever he’s in a pinch. Sammy Watkins could have a monster year if he can get open. Romeo Doubs now needs to live up to all that training-camp hype.
Christian Watson can and should come back from his viral Week 1 drop. It was his first NFL game. He probably makes that catch 95 out of 100 times. Nothing went the Packers’ way last Sunday. He has a quick chance at redemption for his home debut.
I won’t re-hash the Amari Rodgers drama from this week. I just hope he improves and earns the trust of his coaches and fellow players. He still has almost three full seasons to develop.
Defensive Side
Rookie linebacker Quay Walker and cornerback Keisean Nixon both practiced as well. Nixon was a full participant, while Walker was limited. Both left Sunday’s game with shoulder injuries.
LaFleur said they’ll “give Quay the week,” and hopefully he’s ready to go on Sunday night. It would be great to have the rookie back out there. But, again, no need to rush if he still has lingering pain or is not 100%. He had some impressive moments covering the field in his debut. Walker needs to be an impactful player for the Packers. This team can’t keep drafting guys in the first round who aren’t immediately useful and sustainable.
Nixon is technically fourth on the cornerback depth chart. It would be nice to have the healthy depth, but Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes should be able to get the job done. Stokes needs a bounce-back performance. A pick-six from Douglas wouldn’t hurt, either.
Who Might Not Play Sunday
I would bet on Bakhtiari not playing against the Bears. I would give Jenkins a 25% chance of playing. Runyan will probably not clear concussion protocol. Lazard should hit the field and make his debut at home.
Nixon should be good to go, and Walker will likely play. He might have fewer snaps or be limited in some capacity. Again, you need Walker to start playing the speed of the NFL so he can evolve into that next big defender.
The defense needs to bring some pressure, and the offense needs to give their quarterback a little time so he can remain the owner of the Chicago Bears.
