Thursday’s practice had the guys in helmets and shorts, under an unusually balmy, 50 degree sun thanks to a southerly breeze. It’s December 8th people, 17 days until Christmas, it’s supposed to be parkas and mucklucks. Goes with the mood of the 6-6 Green Bay Packers as they are midway through the practice week for Monday night’s trip to MetLife Stadium to take on the 4-8 New York Giants. The team has played its way into post-season contention and the vibe around the team is just as upbeat. So how have the Packers grown from a stumbling, how about a first down offense in September to a cleanly executing scoring offense? One veteran lineman told me it came down to learning how to execute the plays at full speed in games. That took a few weeks but as the game reps increased, the plays were being executed more regularly and that full speed reinforcement has the team believing this can be the norm. Just in time. The playoff push is real and the team knows it can ill afford a slip up in the Meadowlands in prime time.
Christian Watson and Quay Walker were the last two sidelined by injury today, veteran guard Elgton Jenkins basically given a rest day off.
Two of the most intriguing limited participants met reporters in the locker room.
The first one brought the sizzle. Jaire Alexander missed three games early this season with a recurring back issue. He’s been out for the last month since diving to break up a pass against the Rams and injuring his shoulder. Before taking questions, Alexander told the assembled bunch he was going to lie to us anyway but fire away. Wearing his usual white framed sunglasses and donning a wrestling champion belt over that injured shoulder, we did.
A few minutes late on the other side of the locker room, Aaron Jones sincerely discussed his recovery from a sprained MCL suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jones dealt with a nagging hamstring injury suffered on opening day against the Bears and now this has knocked him out but he’s practiced on a limited basis both days so far this week. Head Coach Matt LaFleur said he’s trending in the right direction and there was no argument coming from another player this team really needs with a playoff push already underway.
The rest of the Friday (Thursday) injury report had Darnell Savage return after missing the opening practice of the week with his chest injury. Other limited participants were De’Vondre Campbell, A.J. Dillon, Rashan Gary, Jonathan Owens, Jayden Reed and Devonte Wyatt. They all were able to play against the Chiefs last week. Full participants were Josiah Deguara, Keisean Nixon and Eric Stokes, moving ever closer to getting activated back onto the roster from injured reserve/designated to return.
One more workout is set for Saturday before the team departs for the big apple and a very big game.
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