Tag: Green Bay Packers

What are Packers options if LT Elgton Jenkins can’t play vs. 49ers?

Two options look most likely if the Packers don’t have Elgton Jenkins available to play at left tackle on Sunday night against the 49ers.

The Green Bay Packers have been without Elgton Jenkins for practice each of the last two days due to an ankle injury, and coach Matt LaFleur isn’t certain he’ll have his starting left tackle available for Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

What happens if Jenkins, who was already replacing All-Pro David Bakhtiari (PUP list) at left tackle, can’t play? The Packers will be forced to do more shuffling along the offensive line.

Two options look like the most likely if Jenkins is out.

The Packers could shift Billy Turner, the team’s starting right tackle, over the to left side, where he started four regular-season games and two playoff games last season. Dennis Kelly, an offseason addition who started all 16 games at right tackle for the Tennessee Titans last season, could take Turner’s spot on the right side. This looks like the most likely and safest option. Turner and Kelly are both experienced at the two respective positions, which would probably give the Packers the best chance of holding up against the 49ers defensive line.

Another option is possible but far less likely. Yosh Nijman is listed as the backup at left tackle on the team’s unofficial depth chart. An undrafted free agent from Virginia, he’s now in his third year in Green Bay. And he was terrific for much of the preseason when he played the majority of the team’s snaps at left tackle over three games. If the Packers wanted to keep the four other offensive line starters at their current positions, Nijman could simply replace Jenkins as the starting left tackle. It would be a tremendous risk to start Nijman, who has played 14 total snaps during his NFL career, at a premium position against a defensive line featuring Nick Bosa.

Ideally, Jenkins will recover enough to play on Sunday and make the discussion a moot point. The Packers need all their best players available along the offensive line against one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts. But if Jenkins can’t go, the Packers appear to have at least two different backup plans.

Keep an eye out for the injury report on Friday afternoon. The Packers will provide official injury designations for Jenkins and all other players on the injury report for Week 3.

[lawrence-related id=62725,62703]

[listicle id=62112]

Packers like CB Kevin King in the slot, but why?

The Packers will continue using Kevin King in the slot, but it’s a really tough fit for the veteran cornerback.

Coach Matt LaFleur, defensive coordinator Joe Barry and defensive backs coach Jerry Gray all made it clear that the Green Bay Packers will continue using cornerback Kevin King in the slot.

Barry provided the simple reason why on Thursday: It’s an easy way to get Eric Stokes on the field, and the Packers think Stokes, King and Jaire Alexander are the team’s three best cornerbacks.

King played a team-high 22 snaps in the slot against the Detroit Lions. But keeping him in the slot sure looks, at least from the outside, like a team forcing themselves to jam a square peg into a round hole.

The Packers like King’s length and size inside, and Stokes is likely the future (and probably the present) as the top perimeter cornerback opposite Alexander. King is just a tough fit in the slot. A really tough fit.

He is certainly long, and he can be disruptive as a press corner. But he also has tight hips and two chronically injured shoulders, and he no longer possesses the quickness or fluidity to hang with the smaller, quicker receivers in the slot, especially after so many lower-body injuries in recent years. He tested great at the combine but he no longer looks like an elite athlete on the field every week. King’s weaknesses as a tackler – he missed 24 tackles over the last two seasons, per Pro Football Focus – will only be intensified in the slot where defenses need the run support and physicality.

Playing in the slot is no easy task. It often requires covering the quickest players on the field, and those receivers almost always have a two-way go at the line of scrimmage, complicating the coverage assignment and requiring an equal amount of quickness and instincts. Playing so close to the football also requires contributions against the run. Slot defenders need to use quickness to beat bigger blockers and disrupt plays.

King’s skill set still has some value as a perimeter corner, but the Packers seem hell-bent on putting him in positions to fail.

Maybe the Packers can get by with using King as a part-time option in the slot, based on assignment. If they can keep him from bad matchups, maybe his length could be an asset against a certain type of bigger receiver or tight ends.

But it’s also easy to envision the NFL’s top playcallers – like Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers, for instance – finding King in the slot and exposing him, both in the passing game and run game.

The Packers are in a tough spot. They clearly like King more than the outside world, but they also want to get Stokes on the field in a meaningful role. So the natural answer is shuffling the deck to get the rookie into the most comfortable spot. Expect to see more of King in the slot, but don’t be surprised if the experiment fails, possibly spectacularly, starting on Sunday night in San Francisco.

[listicle id=62112]

Packers WR Davante Adams watched Lamar Jackson highlights prior to Week 2

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams said that he watched Lamar Jackson highlights prior to Week 2

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is known for many things, including his ability to make defenders look silly in open space. It’s no surprise that some players around the league are taking note of his spectacular moves, even if they don’t play the same position.

On Monday Night Football, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams caught a pass in which he made three Detroit Lions defenders miss in the open field with a quick move. On the play he made cornerback Amani Oruwariye “break his ankles.”

When asked about the play, Adams told the media that he tried to pick up a few things from Jackson’s ability to make defenders miss, so much so that he watched highlight plays of Jackson before Monday night’s game.

 “I watched probably 25 minutes’ worth of Lamar Jackson highlights before the game. That’s not a joke, either. I’m being dead serious. I really did at the house, had a little bit of time. I was watching the game, and I was like ‘if he can do that, I should be able to do half of what he’s doing out there as far as making people miss.’ So I’ve had that in my mind a little bit and used that as motivation.”

The Packers will travel to Baltimore in December to take on the Ravens. Adams should get to see in person how the feet of Jackson are just one of the many things that make Jackson such a polarizing talent on the football field.

Packers RB Aaron Jones earns a toilet accessory for Week 2 touchdown

Aaron Jones’ first-quarter touchdown against the Lions earned him an interesting prize from The Pat McAfee Show.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is receiving a brand new toilet accessory as a prize for scoring one of the best touchdowns of the young season.

After each week, “The Pat McAfee Show” will reward the player that scored the best “untouched” touchdown, and Jones’ first quarter touchdown against the Detroit Lions was the winner for Week 2. The prize for the best “Untouched into the End Zone” performance? A new Soft Spa 9500 Bidet from Fluidmaster.

The award is to “recognize the NFL player who scores the most exciting ‘untouched’ touchdown each week,” according to the show.

Jones scored four touchdowns against the Lions. On the award-winning touchdown, he caught a touch pass from Aaron Rodgers and followed his blocking into the end zone for the score.

Packers receiver Davante Adams once said it was important to “wash your hands and wash your butt” to stay healthy. Jones’ new bidet should certainly help with the second part of that equation.

Fans can vote each week on the winner using the hashtag #PMSUntouched. Entries from fans have a chance to win a Soft Spa 9500 Bidet of their own and a $200 gift card.

[listicle id=62657]

Packers need to do ‘better job’ of getting WR Randall Cobb on the field

Aaron Rodgers wants more opportunity for Packers WR Randall Cobb.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants more reps for receiver Randall Cobb, and coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged he needs to do a better job of finding ways to get all of his receivers on the field.

In the immediate aftermath of Monday night’s win over the Detroit Lions, Rodgers said he noticed Cobb hadn’t played much in the first half but was happy to see him playing in big spots in the second half.

“Yeah, I think we need to get him some more opportunities, some more reps” Rodgers said.

LaFleur was asked about Cobb’s playing time in the context of his relationship with Rodgers on Thursday.

“That’s part of our responsibility is getting everyone involved in the game plan,” LaFleur said. “That’s something we have to do a better job with.”

Cobb caught three passes for 26 yards despite playing only 12 snaps against the Lions. Two of the catches gained first downs, including a third-down conversion in the second half. On another catch, he was on the same page with Rodgers when the quarterback hurried everyone to the line to beat a substitution.

Overall, Cobb has only played 27 total snaps, including a big chunk in garbage time against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1.

The Packers traded a sixth-round pick to the Texans for Cobb before training camp.

The offense has leaned on Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard at receiver through two games. LaFleur is also trying to get rookie Amari Rodgers and second-year receiver Malik Taylor on the field in a meaningful way.

Cobb has caught all four of his targets for 58 yards in 2021.

[lawrence-related id=60941,59931]

Packers LT Elgton Jenkins ‘doing better’ but won’t practice Thursday

Green Bay Packers left tackle Elgton Jenkins is feeling better but his ankle injury will keep him out of a second straight practice on Thursday. 

Green Bay Packers left tackle Elgton Jenkins is feeling better but his ankle injury will keep him out of a second straight practice on Thursday.

“He’s doing better. He still won’t be out at practice today, but we’ll give him the rest of the week to get healthy,” LaFleur said.

Jenkins also missed Wednesday’s practice. His status for Sunday against the 49ers remains uncertain.

LaFleur said he wasn’t sure when the injury happened on Monday night and he didn’t become aware of the injury until after the contest. Jenkins played all 65 snaps at left tackle in the 35-17 win over the Lions.

“I didn’t notice a dropoff in his play at any point,” LaFleur said. “He just sucked it up and gutted it out for his teammates.”

The Packers are holding a padded practice on Thursday. The team will practice again Friday and then release official injury designations for Sunday night later Friday afternoon.

Jenkins was replacing All-Pro David Bakhtiari at left tackle. The Packers could play Billy Turner or Yosh Nijman at the position against the 49ers if Jenkins can’t go.

[lawrence-related id=62703,62696]

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers bummed about missing big plays to Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Packers QB thinks he missed Marquez Valdes-Scantling three times for would-be touchdowns against the Lions.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was bummed out about missing a handful of big plays to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Monday night against the Detroit Lions.

Rodgers specifically mentioned a miss on the goal line and two deep shots that he overthrew in the second half.

“I missed Marquez a couple of times when I had him,” Rodgers said after the game. “Missed him three times today, he could have had three touchdowns, disappointed about that.”

The Packers beat the Lions by 18 points, and Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and only five incompletions. But the MVP quarterback still left some plays on the field.

Rodgers was under pressure and throwing off his back foot on the opportunity at the goal line. The Packers ran a combination route with Valdes-Scantling and Davante Adams against man coverage, and Valdes-Scantling worked underneath to beat his man. The throw was hurried and off the mark.

Later, with the Packers up big, Valdes-Scantling had a step on the coverage on two different go routes but Rodgers was a couple of feet too deep on both throws.

“Marquez is such a weapon for us, and it kills me that I missed him because he does so many things to open up stuff for other guys, and he’s a very selfless guy, so I’m bummed out,” Rodgers said.

Two specific examples of selflessness jumped off the screen. On the first, Valdes-Scantling ran a pick route to help open up Aaron Jones on his second touchdown catch. His route created just enough traffic for Jones to get a step in the flat and race into the end zone. Later, his presence in the slot occupied the single-high safety and gave Adams a one-on-one opportunity, which the All-Pro receiver turned into a game-changing 50-yard catch on third down.

Overall, Valdes-Scantling saw four targets but didn’t have a catch against the Lions. His first target was another go ball that got broken up by rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu.

Rodgers said he felt “terrible” about the misses.

Through two games, Valdes-Scantling has just three catches for 17 yards – but the big plays will eventually hit. Rodgers, an excellent thrower of the deep ball, won’t miss too many more, and Valdes-Scantling’s speed in the Matt LaFleur offense is always going to create opportunities for shots down the field.

“He’s going to make plays for us,” Rodgers said.

[listicle id=62112]

Seahawks signing tight end Jace Sternberger to practice squad

Green Bay released him after his suspension ended.

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly signing former Green Bay Packers tight end Jace Sternberger in the aftermath of his release, per his agent Mike McCartney.

The Packers selected Sternberger with the 75th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft following his productive career at Texas A&M. After not recording any stats in his rookie season, he put up 12 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown in 12 games in 2020.

Sternberger received a two-game suspension from the NFL earlier this year for an incident in which he drove drunk while on anti-depressants and fell asleep at the wheel back in February 2020. Green Bay released him after his suspension ended.

[lawrence-related id=75599]

[listicle id=75561]

Former Packers TE Jace Sternberger signs with Seahawks practice squad

The former Packers tight end cleared waivers and is joining the practice squad of the Seahawks.

Former Green Bay Packers tight end Jace Sternberger cleared waivers on Wednesday, and he has now agreed to join the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks, per his agent Mike McCartney.

Sternberger was released by the Packers on Tuesday following the expiration of his two-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Instead of returning to Green Bay’s practice squad, Sternberger picked a new path.

While the Packers are four-deep at tight end and don’t offer an obvious path to playing time, the Seahawks have only three tight ends on the active roster, and one, Tyler Mabry, has only played six snaps in 2021.

Sternberger, a third-round pick of the Packers in 2019, played in only 18 games and caught just 12 passes over the last two seasons. He dealt with injuries during each of his first two seasons and never took the developmental step the Packers were looking for to start Year 3.

In Seattle, Sternberger will get a fresh start and an opportunity to reboot his development.

[lawrence-related id=62694]

[listicle id=62194]

Packers add 4 new players, including Elgton Jenkins and Eric Stokes, to initial Week 3 injury report

The Packers’ initial injury report for Week 3 was 9 players long, but only one – starting LT Elgton Jenkins – didn’t practice on Wednesday.

The Green Bay Packers’ first injury report of Week 3 featured four new players, including left tackle Elgton Jenkins and cornerback Eric Stokes, and now has nine players listed total.

Jenkins has a new ankle injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday. Coach Matt LaFleur said his status for Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers is uncertain. He played all 65 offensive snaps against the Detroit Lions on Monday night.

Stokes was limited on Wednesday on a quad injury. He was impressive in his first extended action of the 2021 season against the Lions.

The Packers also listed outside linebacker Rashan Gary with an elbow injury and cornerback Chandon Sullivan with a knee injury, but both were full participants on Wednesday.

Tight end Josiah Deguara returned to practice on Wednesday but was still limited while recovering from a concussion. Guard Lucas Patrick is no longer listed on the injury report after clearing concussion protocol.

Safety Darnell Savage is still limited with a shoulder injury, but Vernon Scott – who missed the first two weeks with a hamstring injury – finally returned to practice. He was also limited.

The others on the injury report were center Josh Myers, who was a full participant despite a finger injury, and defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster, who was limited while still nursing a back injury.

Week 3 at SF Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
Josiah Deguara Concussion Limited
Elgton Jenkins Ankle DNP
Rashan Gary Elbow Full
Josh Myers Finger Full
Tyler Lancaster Back Limited
Vernon Scott Hamstring Limited
Darnell Savage Shoulder Limited
Chandon Sullivan Knee Full
Eric Stokes Quad Limited

The 49ers had four players miss practice – including starting defensive lineman Arik Armstead – and three others listed as limited on Wednesday due to injury.

[lawrence-related id=62696]