Category: Latest Packers News

Packers place rookie Shemar Jean-Charles on COVID-19 reserve list

The Packers won’t have rookie CB Shemar Jean-Charles on Saturday. He’s on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Another key member of the Green Bay Packers special teams will miss Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Rookie cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Saturday.

A sixth-round pick of the Packers in 2021, Jean-Charles has played in 12 games this season, mostly on special teams. He’s logged 189 total special teams snaps and at least 48 percent of the team’s snaps on special teams in all 12 games played.

Jean-Charles has three tackles and three assisted tackles on special teams this season.

The Packers are already linebacker Ty Summers and receiver Malik Taylor, two key special teamers who were placed on injured reserve on Friday.

It’s possible the Packers will need to ask players such as Chandon Sullivan and Kevin King to play more on special teams on Saturday against the Browns.

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Packers make 5 roster moves ahead of Christmas Day showdown with Browns

The Packers announced five roster moves before Saturday’s Christmas Day showdown with the Browns.

The Green Bay Packers announced five different roster moves before Saturday’s Christmas Day showdown with the Cleveland Browns.

The team activated defensive lineman Kenny Clark from the COVID-19 reserve list, elevated offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen from the practice squad to the gameday roster, placed linebacker Ty Summers and receiver Malik Taylor on injured reserve and placed linebacker Chauncey Rivers on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the five moves.

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Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 16 vs. Cleveland Browns

Predictions from the Packers Wire staff on Sunday’s Week 16 showdown with the Cleveland Browns.

The Green Bay Packers (11-3) will attempt to take another step toward clinching the top seed in the NFC when the Cleveland Browns (7-7) come to Lambeau Field for a Christmas Day matchup.

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 16 showdown with the Browns will go down:

Zach Kruse (8-6): Packers 34, Browns 24

The Browns have question marks all over the offense, including (and especially) at quarterback, and the defense’s pass-rush doesn’t look as frightening if Myles Garrett doesn’t play or is limited by a groin injury. Consider this: Cleveland has scored more than 17 points just twice in the last nine games. If you can’t score, you can’t beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Browns are talented on both sides, and a desperate and talented team can never be overlooked, but this is also a depleted team playing on a short week. The guess here is that Matt LaFleur’s team will simply have a wonderful Christmas time, unwrapping a relatively comfortable win in front of cheerful fans at the NFL’s version of the North Pole.

Jack Wepfer (10-4): Packers 33, Browns 21

The Packers continue to overcome their own struggles, and, really, that seems to be the main thing that matters down the stretch. Aaron Rodgers is on a roll, and the offense is firing on all cylinders. They’re a team built for cold weather football; it’ll be fun to see that being put to use at home. Cleveland has some talent to make this game interesting, but there will just be too much pressure on the Browns to keep pace, which often results in turnovers and points for the good guys.

Brandon Carwile (10-4): Packers 31, Browns 20

Joe Kipp (9-5): Packers 30, Browns 20

The main worry for the Packers will be stopping Nick Chubb. The Browns rushing attack ranks fourth in the NFL in yards per game (139.6). The Packers will be getting back Kenny Clark along the defensive line, but who knows how healthy he really is coming back from Covid. If Green Bay can stifle Cleveland’s run game, even with Baker Mayfield, they should win this game easily.

Brennen Rupp (7-3): Packers 24, Browns 14

This could be an ugly offensive game. Will Green Bay’s offensive line be able to handle Cleveland’s front four? Will Cleveland be able to move the ball offensively, if Green Bay is able to shut down Nick Chubb? I think Aaron Rodgers strengthens his MVP case with a three-touchdown game behind a makeshift offensive line.

Writer Prediction Score Record
Zach Kruse Win 34-24 8-6
Jack Wepfer Win 33-21 10-4
Brandon Carwile Win 31-20 10-4
Joe Kipp Win 30-20 9-5
Brennen Rupp Win 24-14 7-3

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Packers vs. Browns: 5 things to watch and a prediction, Christmas Day edition

Five things to watch and a prediction for Saturday’s Christmas Day showdown between the Packers and Browns.

Lambeau Field doesn’t have a roof or a chimney, but Santa will still be coming to town to bring an incredible present worth opening in Green Bay on Christmas Day: A fascinating matchup between two of the most talented teams in football in a nationally televised matchup with playoff implications on both sides.

The Packers, the No. 1 seed in the NFC, will rock around the Christmas tree by hosting the Cleveland Browns, who are hanging on for dear life in the AFC postseason race.

Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Saturday’s Christmas Day showdown between the Packers and Browns.

Analyzing Packers’ final injury report for Week 16 vs. Browns

Breaking down everything you need to know from the Packers’ final injury report before playing the Browns in Week 16.

The Green Bay Packers listed tight end Dominique Dafney as questionable and ruled out left tackle David Bakhtiari, linebacker Ty Summers, right tackle Billy Turner and receiver Malik Taylor for Saturday against the Cleveland Browns.

Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the Packers’ final injury report of Week 16:

Packers vs. Browns: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 16

Highlighting the top matchups within the showdown between the Packers and Browns in Week 16.

The Green Bay Packers have clinched the NFC North Division, but their work isn’t done quite yet. The Packers still have their eyes set on the top seed in the NFC, which would grant them a first-round bye in the playoffs. Winning out is the easiest way to do it, but their Christmas present this year is a tough Cleveland Browns team in Week 16.

Green Bay will hopefully spread some holiday cheer this Saturday when they face off against Cleveland. The Browns are still hopeful of competing in the playoffs, but opportunities are running thin. They moved to 7-7 on the season after suffering a brutal loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last week, with multiple key players missing the game due to COVID-19.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield was among those that sat out in Week 15, but he could be back for Saturday’s game. Mayfield hasn’t put up compelling numbers in 2021, but his play has been solid. Most of the offensive production has rested on the shoulder of their run game. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combine for one of the best backfield duos in the league and are currently fifth in rushing yards per game.

With the 12th ranked run defense, the Packers will have their work cut out for them. This Browns’ team has very little room for error as another loss could dash their chances at the postseason. So if their run game is what will lead them there, that’s what they will likely lean on.

Of course, Green Bay’s defense may have an answer. Let’s see what that might be in this week’s look at key matchups.

Packers getting Pro Bowl DL Kenny Clark back from COVID-19 reserve list

Packers DL Kenny Clark returned to practice on Thursday and should be available for Saturday against the Browns.

The Green Bay Packers will get a big boost in the middle of their defensive line for Saturday’s Christmas Day showdown with the Cleveland Browns.

Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark was back at practice on Thursday, meaning he’ll come off the COVID-19 reserve list and be available to play Saturday.

Clark, who was named to his second Pro Bowl on Wednesday, missed the Packers’ win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday while on the reserve list. The Ravens rushed for 143 yards, including 70 yards on just 13 carries from running backs.

The Packers originally placed Clark on the list on Thursday of last week.

Getting him back comes at the perfect time. The Browns are talented up front along the offensive line and feature one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks. Also of note, Browns center J.C. Tretter is going on the COVID-19 reserve list after he tested positive on Thursday, meaning there will be no battle between Tretter and Clark – the two former teammates – on Saturday.

Over 13 games, Clark has produced 54 total pressures and 23 defensive stops, per Pro Football Focus. He also has four sacks and a career-high 13 quarterback hits.

If Clark comes off the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday as expected, only receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling will remain on the list.

The Packers will provide a full injury report and game status designations later on Thursday.

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NFL executives see Packers QB Aaron Rodgers as MVP favorite

With three games to go, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to be the clear favorite to win NFL MVP for the second straight season. 

With three games to go, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to be the clear favorite to win NFL MVP for the second straight season.

In a poll of 23 NFL executives conducted by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Rodgers led the way with 11 votes. He was trailed by Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who received eight of the 23.

Tom Brady, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, received only two, a clear sign his MVP candidacy is losing steam.

Through 14 games, Rodgers has thrown 30 touchdown passes and only four interceptions, and he leads the NFL in passer rating and interception percentage. The Packers are 11-2 when he starts, and as it stands currently, Green Bay is the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The 2020 NFL MVP has been red-hot lately. Over the last four games, Rodgers has completed 71 percent of his passes, averaged 325 passing yards per game, throwing 13 touchdown passes without an interception and has a passer rating of 127.7.

If a running back is truly Rodgers’ top competition for the award, he might coast to another MVP. Taylor has been terrific, but running backs rarely win the award. Betting markets suggest Brady is still the other favorite alongside Rodgers.

Another interesting result of the poll? Packers coach Matt LaFleur received only two votes for Coach of the Year, but general manager Brian Gutekunst finished second – behind Bill Belichick – in the Executive of the Year polling.

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers sets team record for Pro Bowl selections

QB Aaron Rodgers, named the NFC starter in the Pro Bowl, set a new Packers record for Pro Bowl selections with 10.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers became the first player in team history to be named to 10 Pro Bowls.

Rodgers earned his 10th Pro bowl selection on Wednesday when the NFL announced the initial Pro Bowl rosters. He surpassed Hall of Famers Brett Favre and Forrest Gregg, who each made nine Pro Bowls while with the Packers.

Overall, Rodgers is just the sixth quarterback in NFL history to be selected to 10 or more Pro Bowls, joining Peyton Manning (14), Tom Brady (14), Drew Brees (13), Favre (11) and Johnny Unitas (10).

This year, Rodgers was voted the Pro Bowl starter at quarterback in the NFC.  Through 15 weeks, he’s thrown 30 touchdown passes against just four interceptions, and he leads the NFL in passer rating and interception percentage.

With three weeks to go in 2021, Rodgers is the betting favorite to be named NFL MVP. He’s tossed 13 touchdown passes and no interceptions over the last four weeks as the Packers offense has soared to new heights.

Rodgers, the three-time MVP, has made the Pro Bowl each of the last four seasons.

Rodgers’ Pro Bowl years: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Joining Rodgers in the Pro Bowl this year is receiver Davante Adams, now a Pro Bowler in five straight seasons, and defensive lineman Kenny Clark.

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