Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones practiced Thursday for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Jones’ return to the practice field opens the door to him playing Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, but the current status of Christian Watson — who didn’t practice Thursday after a limited session Wednesday — demonstrates the uncertain nature of hamstring injuries.
Jones was originally injured at the end of a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Bears. He missed the rest of the contest, didn’t practice last week and sat out the Packers’ 25-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Jones also didn’t practice Wednesday. It’s been 11 days between Thursday and the original injury.
In Week 1, Jones produced 127 total yards and two touchdowns on just 11 touches. Without Jones in the lineup in Week 2, backup A.J. Dillon rushed 15 times for 55 yards and caught one pass for eight yards.
At receiver, Watson’s status for Sunday now looks far more murky. While Watson was able to go through individual drills with receivers on Wednesday, it’s possible his hamstring didn’t respond well to increased activity and needs more time to heal.
Per Schneidman, left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) did not practice again Thursday, and safety Zayne Anderson — who still hasn’t made his Packers debut — was a new DNP on Thursday.
The Packers will release an updated injury report later today.