Matt LaFleur pumping up everyone, including practice squad defensive back Anthony Johnson at practice Thursday.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Packers certainly won’t be feeling overworked going into Saturday night’s NFC Divisional Round playoff matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Head Coach Matt LaFleur kept Thursday’s final practice short but unlike Wednesday’s jog through, got in a few more full speed reps of the game plan for the conference’s number one seed. The team has been grinding over elimination games since the Carolina Panthers spoiled Christmas. The approach has paid dividends with an energetic, young team saving their best for game days.
The only notable players with question marks over their heads are Jaire Alexander and A.J. Dillon. Alexander didn’t participate again but LaFleur remains optimistic he’ll be right enough to play. Dillon returned to the group for at least the team’s stretch, the only portion of practice reporters were allowed to watch again today. Both were officially listed as questionable in today’s final injury report. They were joined by linebacker Isaiah McDuffie who’s working through a stinger just a week after getting knocked out of the game with a concussion. A late add was punter Daniel Whelan who stayed home from practice with an illness but LaFleur believes he’ll be able to get past it before departing for Santa Clara tomorrow afternoon.
Linebacker Kingsley Enegbare has been ruled out after reportedly tearing his ACL in last Sunday’s Wild Card victory over the Cowboys. LaFleur said moving Enegbare to injured reserve is something they’ll consider to open a roster spot for anyone who might provide another body Saturday night. LaFleur said practice squad call-ups also give them options. While he may be considered a back up edge rusher, Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia called it a devastating loss. Aside from turning himself into a physical specimen this off-season, Enegbare became a three corps special teammer who contributed big plays in punt protection and coverage last weekend. Hard to replace this late in the year.
Lukas Van Ness will pick some of the defensive slack. He feels he’s playing his best football after spending most of the year learning how to plan a position completely foreign to him from his college days.
Visited in the locker room post-practice with Karl Brooks and asked him how challenging will it be to get Christian McCaffrey on the ground? Brooks said if everyone does their job and joins others at the ball with sure tackling, they can keep him under control.
Meanwhile, Aaron Jones is anxious to turn the tide in what is now the NFL’s most played post-season rivalry. This mark’s the 10th all-time meeting with San Francisco leading 5-4 having won each of the last four games. The last two had Jones in uniform and he’s anxious to try and turn the tide. The veteran running back is on a career best roll, topping 100 yards on the ground every week for a month. Jones said the team is feeding off and following the calm demeanor of Jordan Love and it’s translated to cleaner offensive execution. Reminded rain is forecast and there’s a chance the track might be on the treacherous side, Jones said he’ll test his shoes pre-game and if his “7’s” are needed, the longer screw in-studs, he’ll install them if it delivers better traction, “to be the race car I am.”
One more walk through on Friday before one long flight out west for one very large football game.
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