Barring something unforeseen, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love should have all his top weapons available in a full capacity for the first time this season when he faces the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night.
Not only are running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson expected to return in full-time roles, but tight end Luke Musgrave cleared concussion protocol on Thursday and should play vs. the Raiders.
Watson missed the first three games and was on a snap count vs. the Lions. Jones missed the fourth quarter of Week 1 and games against the Falcons and Saints before returning last week on a snap count. Both playmakers should be closer to 100 percent after hamstring injuries and ready to play a bigger role on Monday night.
Musgrave’s concussion — suffered in the first half last week — threatened to ruin the opportunity for Love to play with all his weapons at full strength. But he cleared the protocol and should be good to go.
Romeo Doubs, another starting receiver, was on a snap count in Week 1 but has played without restriction the last three games.
With Watson, Jones, Musgrave, Doubs and rookie Jayden Reed all healthy, the Packers now have their preferred starters at running back, receiver and tight end all healthy at the same time for the first time all season.
Watson and Jones, when healthy and fully utilized, can be legitimate difference-makers. Doubs, who caught a career-high nine passes last week, is a trusted target. Musgrave has game-breaking speed and has been open for big plays several times through four games. Reed has a catch of at least 30 yards or a touchdown in all four games to start his career.
Of course, the offensive line is a different story. Left tackle David Bakhtiari is on injured reserve, left guard Elgton Jenkins is attempting to work his way back from an MCL injury, right guard Jon Runyan Jr. is dealing with an ankle injury and right tackle Zach Tom played through a knee injury last week.
However, if Jenkins and Runyan can play on Monday night, the Packers offensive line could go from weakness to strength again.
Predictably, the Packers offense has been up and down to start the 2023 season. Begin with a first-year starting quarterback, sprinkle in some key injuries at the skill positions and then devastate the strength of the offensive line, and things got unavoidably rough at times.
Although Bakhtiari might not return this season, the injury situation is starting to clear. Love might not have his best offensive line in front of him on Monday night, but he’ll have all his top weapons to lean on for the first time all season. The job for the quarterback should start to get easier.