The Green Bay Packers aren’t expected to have receiver Davante Adams available on Thursday night after he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Monday, but the return of one of the offense’s other weapons could be on the horizon.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur left the door wide open for Marquez Valdes-Scantling to come off injured reserve and play Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Asked if there was a shot for Valdes-Scantling to return this week, LaFleur responded with, “Yeah, absolutely. There’s hope for that.”
LaFleur also confirmed Valdes-Scantling was running on Monday to test the hamstring, which he injured during the Packers’ Week 3 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He’s missed four straight games while on injured reserve.
“We’ll see how he’s feeling come tomorrow and as we progress throughout the week. I know he’s working hard. He wants to be out there,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur said the Packers offense misses Valdes-Scantling’s speed and the vertical “element he brings” to the passing game. Through the first three games, Valdes-Scantling caught six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
“I thought he was playing at a really high level before he went out,” LaFleur said.
Valdes-Scanlting’s return would come at the perfect time if Adams isn’t available. The Packers are 6-0 since 2019 when Adams doesn’t play, but having the offense’s deep threat back in the lineup would theoretically help open up operating space for the other receivers, including Allen Lazard – who had 146 receiving yards when Adams was out in Week 2 against the Saints last year – and veteran Randall Cobb.
Note, Valdes-Scantling has not been designated for return from injured reserve and is not yet on the 53-man roster. The Packers have until Thursday to activate him to the roster.
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