The Green Bay Packers’ backfield and secondary outlooks improved on Thursday, but their wide corps could be without a crucial member against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Jayden Reed, who played through a chest ailment and scored the game’s first touchdown against the Detroit Lions last week, did not join the rest of the squad on the practice field on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Reed participated in part of the pre-practice stretch inside the Don Hutson Center before moving toward the exercise equipment in the back of the facility. On Thursday, he hung out behind the rest of the team and stayed inside again.
“No setback,” coach Matt LaFleur said after practice.
A second-round pick, Reed is second on the team with 36 receptions, first with 497 receiving yards and second with five touchdown receptions and six total touchdowns.
Among rookies, not only does he rank in the top 10 in receptions, yards and touchdowns, but he is No. 1 with seven receptions of 30-plus yards. That’s the most 30-yard catches by a Packers rookie since at least 2000.
“He’s just a heck of a competitor and he’s helped us not only in the pass game, obviously, but just getting the ball in his hands whether it’s on reverses, arounds, whatever it may be, screens,” LaFleur said. “And I love how he competes both in the run game and in the pass game. So, he’s made plays when given opportunities.”
Dillon returned to practice after missing the last two days with a groin injury. With Aaron Jones still sidelined with a knee injury and Emanuel Wilson on injured reserve, it will be up to Dillon and Patrick Taylor to once again carry the load in the backfield against a strong Chiefs defense.
The secondary could be shaping up, too – with a matchup against MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes being the perfect timing.
All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was inactive the last three games with a shoulder injury, practiced for a second consecutive day.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” LaFleur said when asked if Alexander was trending toward playing.
Starting safety Darnell Savage, who spent the last five games on injured reserve with a calf injury, practiced again after going full participation on Wednesday.
“I feel better,” Savage said. “Definitely feels a lot better just being able to practice again.”
Safety Rudy Ford, who missed the last two games with a biceps injury and three of the last four overall, practiced again, as well. Will he return to the starting lineup or will the Packers stick with Jonathan Owens? LaFleur said the coaching staff was weighing that decision.
And so did cornerback Eric Stokes, who was designated for return from injured reserve on Monday after missing five games with a hamstring injury.
Reed, Jones and cornerback Robert Rochell (calf) were the only players who were not on the field for the start of practice.
On Wednesday, the Packers listed 15 players on their injury report, with 12 who did not practice or were limited. The Chiefs had only two players who did not practice or were limited.
Packers Thursday Injury Report
DNP: RB Aaron Jones (knee), WR Jayden Reed (chest), CB Robert Rochell (calf).
Questionable: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), DT Kenny Clark (shoulder), TE Josiah Deguara (hip), RB AJ Dillon (groin), S Rudy Ford (biceps), OLB Rashan Gary (shoulder), CB Eric Stokes (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (knee).
