The Green Bay Packers will designate wide receiver Sammy Watkins for return from injured reserve, but his availability for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders is currently unclear.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Watkins will practice with the team on Wednesday.
“Yeah, he’ll be out there in a limited capacity,” LaFleur said.
Watkins has been on injured reserve with a hamstring injury over the last four weeks. During the first two games, he caught six passes for 111 yards.
In terms of playing this week, LaFleur wasn’t sure.
“We’ll see where he’s at. I don’t think anybody is ready to say that he’s going to play this week,” LaFleur said.
The Packers now have a 21-day window to activate him from IR to the 53-man roster. Until he’s activated, Watkins does not count against the 53-man roster limit.
LaFleur expressed excitement in what Watkins’ return can do for the passing game and run game.
“When he does come back, he does bring a lot to the table, in terms of just the experience of being out there, he knows what to do, he plays the game really fast, there’s not a lot of hesitation in his game, he’s extremely powerful,” LaFleur said. “He helps us, not only in the pass game, but he’s one of the best blockers I’ve been around as well. Couple him with guys like Allen (Lazard), that’s a formidable duo on the perimeter.”
Watkins broke out with three catches for 93 yards in the Packers’ win over the Chicago Bears in Week 2. Twice, Aaron Rodgers hit him on an in-breaking route off play-action. Late in the game, they connected on a 55-yarder to help clinch the win.
Getting Watkins back this week would be good timing considering the injury situation of Randall Cobb, who is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with an ankle injury.
LaFleur said linebacker Krys Barnes, who is also eligible to come off injured reserve, will not practice on Wednesday.
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