Two young players sent to injured reserve early in the 2020 season returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
According to Olivia Reiner of PackersNews.com, linebacker Kamal Martin and receiver Equanimeous St. Brown both were on the field and practicing Monday for the first time since going on injured reserve in September.
Both players now have a 21-day window to be activated from injured reserve to the 53-man roster. They are free to practice, and either player can be activated at any point during the three weeks.
Under new rules this season, players only need to miss three games before returning from injured reserve.
A rookie standout this summer, Martin injured his knee during a scrimmage late in training camp and needed surgery. He was put on injured reserve on Sept. 7, before Week 1. St. Brown hurt his knee, was inactive for Week 1 and placed on injured reserve on Sept. 19, missing the last three games.
The Packers have two open roster spots and could theoretically activate both Martin and St. Brown before taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
The Packers could use the help at both positions.
Linebacker Christian Kirksey is on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, while receiver Allen Lazard is on injured reserve with a core muscle injury.
Martin appeared to be on track for a starting role next to Kirksey at linebackers before he went down. St. Brown could help the Packers replace some of the versatile roles Lazard handled at receiver.
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