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Green Bay Packers receiver Allen Lazard is progressing after having surgery to correct a core muscle injury.
Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Lazard, who is on injured reserve, would be designated to return and begin practicing again week.
“He’s going to start practicing this week, so hopefully we’ll get him back sooner rather than later,” LaFleur said Wednesday.
Lazard injured his core during a win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. He had surgery, went on injured reserve and missed games against the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans. This year, players need only miss three games before returning from injured reserve.
Lazard caught 13 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns during the Packers’ first three games.
Once a player is designated to return, the team has 21 days to activate the player to the 53-man roster. Although Lazard will practice, he must still be activated to play, and the Packers have time before they need to make a move.
The Packers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday but then turn around and play the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night the next week. Even if Lazard doesn’t play on Sunday, he could be back for Week 9 against the 49ers.
LaFleur confirmed linebacker Christian Kirksey, who is dealing with a pectoral injury, is also scheduled to return to practice this week.
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