Green Bay Packers – Syndication Server

49ers TE George Kittle ‘can’t pass up’ opportunity to play Packers

George Kittle is confident he’ll return from a hamstring injury and play Sunday against the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers must prepare this week for the return of one of the most important players on the talented offense of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Tight end George Kittle, who missed last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, is convinced he’ll be good to go for Sunday’s trip to Lambeau Field.

“I will be playing on Sunday,” Kittle said after practice Wednesday, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “Very excited. Can’t pass up playing the Packers, so no, I will be out there for sure.”

Kittle was a limited participation at Wednesday’s practice. He said he lacked the necessary confidence in his hamstring to play last Sunday and didn’t want to push it after the hamstring “didn’t feel great on Saturday,” but he’s not concerned about this week. The 49ers will provide a playing status designation on the final injury report on Friday.

Kittle not only leads the NFL in touchdown receptions by a tight end with seven, but he’s one of the best blocking tight ends in football. He’s a vital part of how the 49ers operate both in pass and run games.

According to Next Gen Stats, the 49ers average 5.5 yards per rush with Kittle on the field and only 3.5 yards per rush when he’s not.

And no wonder he wants to play the Packers — the 49ers are 5-5 and desperately need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, and in four of Kittle’s last five games against the Packers, he’s produced at least 80 receiving yards or a touchdown, including a touchdown catch in the postseason last year.

Can the Packers, with a new group of safeties led by Xavier McKinney, do a better job containing Kittle if he plays Sunday? Kittle feasted on Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens in January’s playoff game, but McKinney and rookie Evan Williams have been excellent at safety in 2024.

Kittle is a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. Over eight games, he has 43 catches for 560 yards and seven scores. He has a touchdown in six of eight games.

What to know from Packers’ first injury report of Week 12 vs. 49ers

Things to know from the Packers’ first injury report before playing the 49ers in Week 12.

The Green Bay Packers released the team’s first injury report of Week 12 on Wednesday. The team will release two more injury reports, including a final injury report on Friday with official playing status designations before Sunday’s showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.

Here’s everything to know from the Packers’ first injury report of Week 12:

Who didn’t participate?

Only cornerback Jaire Alexander, who exited Sunday’s win over the Bears with a lingering knee injury. Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers would give Alexander the week to see if he can get physically ready to play, but exiting Sunday and not participating Wednesday isn’t a good sign for his potential availability this week. Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd did not participate Wednesday, but he was placed on the non-football illness list after needing an appendectomy.

Who returned to practice?

Defensive lineman Colby Wooden, who missed last week’s win with a shoulder injury, returned to practice in a limited capacity.

How is Jordan Love?

Officially healed. The Packers are no longer listing Love on the injury report. He practiced fully last week and looked more mobile and healthier overall in the win over the Bears.

Any new injuries to know?

Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was limited Wednesday with a new hamstring injury, while running back Josh Jacobs added a calf injury and was also limited.

Who is still limited with injuries?

Jacobs (quad), defensive lineman Kenny Clark (toe), center Josh Myers (wrist), left tackle Rasheed Walker (knee) and safety Evan Williams (hamstring) were all limited on Wednesday with previous injuries. All five players played through the issues against the Bears last Sunday.

Who is no longer on the injury report?

Edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare is no longer listed. He had an elbow injury last week but practiced fully and had no restrictions against the Bears. Love was also removed, as noted above.

What’s to know from 49ers injury report?

The 49ers listed five players as non-participants on Wednesday, including defensive end Nick Bosa, who has hip and oblique injuries. That’s the one to watch for Packers fans. Bosa is a game-wrecker. Running back Christian McCaffrey got rest and left tackle Trent Williams didn’t practice with an ankle injury. Tight end George Kittle returned to practice in a limited capacity after missing last week with a hamstring injury — he’s convinced he’ll play Sunday. Quarterback Brock Purdy was limited with right shoulder soreness.

Packers place rookie RB on non-football illness list following appendectomy

The Packers placed rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd on the non-football illness list on Wednesday.

After activating him to the 53-man roster on Monday, the Green Bay Packers placed rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd on the non-football illness list on Wednesday.

Lloyd, a third-round pick out of USC, needed an appendectomy to fix appendicitis on Friday of last week.

The move will open up a spot on the 53-man roster, but Lloyd will miss the next four games before he’s eligible to return. Green Bay plays the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks over the next four weeks.

Lloyd rushed six times for 15 yards and caught one pass for three yards in his one appearance this season. He injured his ankle in Week 2 and missed the last eight games while on injured reserve.

Because the Packers designated Lloyd for return from injured reserve, he needed to be activated to the 53-man roster before going on the non-football injury list.

The other roster move announced Wednesday was signing receiver Alex McGough to the practice squad.

Packers return QB-turned-WR to practice squad

The Packers brought back Alex McGough, who transitioned from QB to WR this offseason, on the team’s practice squad on Wednesday.

The Green Bay Packers returned quarterback-turned-receiver Alex McGough to the team’s practice squad on Wednesday.

McGough, a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver while in Green Bay this past offseason. While attempting to win a roster spot, McGough suffered several lower-body injuries and was eventually released with an injury designation before the start of training camp in July.

Healthy again, McGough will get a chance to continue developing as a receiver for the Packers. He was at practice on Wednesday wearing a No. 16 uniform.

“It’s great to have him back here,” coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “He’s a great teammate. The guys really enjoy his presence. He seems healthy, and he’s ready to roll. We’ll get him back to work and see where he’s at.”

In May, LaFleur said McGough impressed the Packers as a receiver while running with the scout team on the practice squad last year.

“He’s a really athletic guy,” LaFleur said after a minicamp practice. “He spent a lot of time on the scout team running receiver routes, and he did such a great job. We feel like he’s such a talented athlete, why not give him a chance there? He’s a smart guy, works his tail off. I think he can contribute on (special teams) as well. We felt like that might be his best chance here.”

McGough spent the entire 2023 season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad. With draft picks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt on the roster at quarterback during the summer, McGough’s chances of sticking in Green Bay reduced drastically, helping prompt the position change.

McGough is a two-time USFL champion and the 2023 USFL MVP as a quarterback. He previously spent time with the Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans before playing two seasons with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.

McGough joins Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson and Malik Knowles as the four receivers on the team’s practice squad.

McGough turned 29 years on Tuesday.

How Robert Saleh’s idea helped set up explosive play for Packers vs. Bears

Robert Saleh’s consulting work for the Packers helped set up an explosive play for Christian Watson against the Bears.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Robert Saleh — who is doing consulting work for LaFleur and the Packers offense — provided a useful “nugget” that turned into a big play during Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears.

According to LaFleur, Saleh suggested a concept after reviewing the Bears defense on tape, and the Packers put in the play into the plan and then executed it for a 25-yard completion to Christian Watson in the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-19 win at Soldier Field.

“That was one play that he wanted the general idea of that, so we implemented it, and it was pretty successful,” LaFleur said.

The explosive play set up the Packers’ go-ahead touchdown run from running back Josh Jacobs. On the play, Watson faked a “stalk” block on the linebacker and then took off on a delayed slot fade, and Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson — who was covering Romeo Doubs on an out-and-up route — didn’t have enough time to get into position to defend the throw from Jordan Love. Watson made the catch inside the 10, and Jacobs scored on the next play to give the Packers a 14-13 lead.

It’s clear Saleh saw something in the tape of the Bears coverage that led him to believe that Johnson would carry the deep post and open up a chance to hit the deep shot into the vacated space.

LaFleur said Saleh — who consults during the work week through Friday — is still only working with the offense.

“He’s doing a great job. He always gives us a nugget,” LaFleur said. “He’s been a great asset.”

The New York Jets fired Saleh — a close friend of LaFleur’s — on Oct. 8. He’s been in helping in Green Bay off and on for the better part of the last month.

How to buy San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 12 tickets

Want to watch the 49ers vs. Packers battle in person in Week 12? Tickets start as low as $148.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will do battle in a top-tier NFC clash during the NFL’s Week 12 slate.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to check it out live.

The 49ers (5-5) entered the 2024 season as Super Bowl hopefuls. However, the Niners were upset at home by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 in a 20-17 final. The defeat puts San Francisco in the basement of the NFC West standings.

On the flip side, the Packers have a promising 7-3 record. Green Bay’s problem? The team resides in a tight-packed NFC North division which has the Detroit Lions (9-1) at the top. The Pack have to keep pace.

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The game kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see it in person. Act soon to catch this epic clash as only limited tickets are still available.

How to buy 49ers vs. Packers NFL tickets

On top of all of that, this is a rematch of 2023’s divisional-round matchup between these two which the 49ers took en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

The Packers will want to right that wrong against a Niners team desperate for a win.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers are $148.

How to buy San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 12 tickets

Want to watch the 49ers vs. Packers battle in person in Week 12? Tickets start as low as $148.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will do battle in a top-tier NFC clash during the NFL’s Week 12 slate.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to check it out live.

The game kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see it in person. Act soon to catch this epic clash as only limited tickets are still available.

How to buy 49ers vs. Packers NFL tickets

On top of all of that, this is a rematch of 2023’s divisional-round matchup between these two which the 49ers took en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

The Packers will want to right that wrong against a Niners team desperate for a win.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers are $148.

How to buy San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 12 tickets

Want to watch the 49ers vs. Packers battle in person in Week 12? Tickets start as low as $148.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will do battle in a top-tier NFC clash during the NFL’s Week 12 slate.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to check it out live.

The game kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see it in person. Act soon to catch this epic clash as only limited tickets are still available.

How to buy 49ers vs. Packers NFL tickets

On top of all of that, this is a rematch of 2023’s divisional-round matchup between these two which the 49ers took en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

The Packers will want to right that wrong against a Niners team desperate for a win.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers are $148.

Packers DE Brenton Cox Jr.’s breakout performance vs. Bears draws praise from Matt LaFleur

Brenton Cox Jr. had his first career sack and a tackle for loss in the Packers’ win over the Bears.

While Brenton Cox Jr. earned a spot on the Green Bay Packers roster the last two years with strong preseason performances, his opportunities during the regular season were nearly nonexistent. That changed on Sunday when the second-year edge rusher logged a career-high 22 defensive snaps and recorded his first career sack and a tackle for loss in Green Bay’s 20-19 win over the Chicago Bears.

According to head coach Matt LaFleur, Cox’s breakout performance was the perfect example to the rest of the locker room of always being ready when your number is called.

“I think it’s great for the locker room, it’s great for everybody, it’s a great example of just keep your head down, continue to work, and then making the most and maximizing your opportunity,” LaFleur said Monday. “I thought he played really well. Obviously was impactful in the game.”

Cox, who had played just four defensive snaps in his career before Sunday, helped set the tone on the very first drive when he burst into the backfield to stop Bears running back D’Andre Swift for a three-yard loss. It was the first tackle of Cox’s career and a glimpse into the intriguing skillset as a run defender he flashed in college and the preseason.

But Cox wasn’t done.

To start the second quarter, the Bears’ offense had moved the ball to the Packers’ 45 and were threatening to score. On 2nd and 10, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was in the middle of play-action, but before he could finish carrying out the fake, he was immediately met by Cox, who blew up the play after being unaccounted for by the pass protection. Cox’s sack put Chicago into a 3rd and long situation and knocked them out of Green Bay territory, resulting in a punt two plays later.

BOOM.#GBvsCHI pic.twitter.com/jPJuWrw8nt

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 17, 2024

Cox stayed on the field for the punt and did an excellent job blocking Bears linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga. Ogbongbemiga became so frustrated by being manhandled by Cox that he headbutted Cox after the play, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty. LaFleur credited Cox for maintaining his composure and added that he expects him to get more opportunities because of how well he played.

“He didn’t respond, he kept his poise, and that’s something we talked about,” said LaFleur. “You got to give him a lot of credit because that’s not always easy to do in the heat of the battle. I was really happy with his play and happy for him. I would expect to see more of him.”

Last week, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley talked about how he was “really excited” to see what Cox could bring to the defense after the team traded Preston Smith.

Against Chicago, Cox out-snapped and had a bigger impact than 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. Judging by LaFleur’s comments, it sounds like Cox will continue to get a healthy amount of reps as long as he keeps producing.

Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) misses practice Wednesday

After exiting Sunday’s win in Chicago after only 10 snaps, Packers CB Jaire Alexander was DNP at practice on Wednesday.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was not practicing Wednesday after exiting Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Alexander, who is battling through a knee injury, was active Sunday but on a pitch count, and the Packers pulled him from the game around halftime and he didn’t return after playing only 10 snaps.

Alexander isn’t believed to have suffered an aggravation of the injury or any new injury. But given his departure in Chicago and now practice participation to start the week, it’s clear his availability for Sunday’s visit from the San Francisco 49ers is in jeopardy.

Coach Matt LaFleur said post-practice that Alexander will be given the week to see if he can recover in time to play.

Alexander originally suffered the injury late in the Packers’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 27.

Alexander has been inactive for three games due to injury this season, including a two-game absence for a groin injury. He missed the Packers’ Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions with the knee injury suffered in Jacksonville, and the bye week in Week 10 wasn’t enough for him to get back to 100 percent before Week 11. Now, a longer absence is possible.

If Alexander isn’t available for Sunday against the 49ers, the Packers would likely lean on Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as perimeter corners with rookie Javon Bullard in the slot. Eric Stokes, who played only four snaps against the Bears, is another perimeter option, and Nixon can play in the slot.

Per Schneidman, the only other player not practicing on Wednesday was rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd, who needed surgery to correct appendicitis on Friday of last week.

The Packers will provide the first injury report of the week later on Wednesday.