The superstar wide receiver matchup between Davante Adams and Michael Thomas looks increasingly less likely to happen on Sunday night in New Orleans.
Adams, the Green Bay Packers’ three-time Pro Bowler, missed practice on Thursday with a hamstring injury. Thomas, the Saints’ two-time All-Pro, also missed practice and is in danger of missing his second straight game with a high ankle sprain. Neither player has practiced this week and it’s possible both could be ruled out as early as Friday.
The Packers will give Adams the entire week to get his hamstring ready, and both Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers said they’d have no issues with Adams playing Sunday without practicing all week.
Both teams may take the cautious route given how early it is in the season and the extensive history of both hamstring and high-ankle injuries lingering.
If Adams can’t go, the Packers would lean heavily on Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard and Tyler Ervin at receiver on Sunday night. The Saints have Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith behind Thomas. Both passing games could be limited, but both LaFleur and Sean Payton have other weapons, particularly at running back.
The Packers and Saints did get good news on defense. Both Kenny Clark and Marcus Davenport returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, making it possible the Packers will return their Pro Bowl defensive lineman and the Saints will return their first-round defensive end on Sunday night.
The Packers didn’t have rookie tight end Josiah Deguara, who sat out Thursday’s practice after returning to action Wednesday. Punter JK Scott also missed the practice due to personal reasons. The Packers may need to make a roster move at punter if Scott is in danger of missing Sunday.
Offensive linemen Billy Turner and Corey Linsley were both full participants for the second straight day and should be good to go for Sunday.
The Saints had to downgrade defensive lineman Malcolm Brown from limited on Wednesday to non-participant on Thursday, suggesting he could miss Sunday.
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