Green Bay Packers receiver Allen Lazard is expected to be a game-time decision on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Coach Matt LaFleur listed Lazard, who returned from injured reserve on Tuesday, as questionable for Sunday’s showdown with the AFC South leaders.
“He’s been making progress, again we’ll see how he’s feeling,” LaFleur said Friday. “Hopefully, he’ll be able to go, but again I think it’s going to be more something we’re going to figure out on Sunday.”
Lazard has been out since Week 3 with a core muscle injury. He needed surgery to correct the issue and has missed the last six games.
During practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Lazard was listed by the Packers as a limited participant.
If Lazard can’t go Sunday, he’d likely make his long-awaited return next week against the Chicago Bears on “Sunday Night Football.”
If Lazard plays, the Packers will have their top three receivers on the field for the first time since Week 2. The timing couldn’t be better with the Colts’ fourth-ranked scoring defense on tap on Sunday.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is excited to get Lazard back, not only for his ability in the passing game but also his blocking in the run game.
“I think Allen is an X-factor for us,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “If we can get him back, I think that would help not just in the passing game but running the football, too.”
During the first three games, Lazard caught 13 passes for 254 yards and was one of the NFL’s most efficient receivers. LaFleur also called him one of the offense’s “enforcers” in the run game due to his toughness and ability to handle so many different blocking assignments from the receiver position.
The Packers will have up until 90 minutes before kickoff to determine Lazard’s status for Sunday. A likely playoff team heading for the stretch run, the Packers could remain extra cautious with Lazard if he isn’t fully recovered.
Davante Adams, who is dealing with an ankle injury, isn’t on the injury report and will play against the Colts. Like Lazard, receivers Equanimeous St. Brown and Darrius Shepherd are also questionable.
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