Before the chess match between old friends, Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur, his defensive coordinator Joe Barry and San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan takes place at Lambeau Field Saturday night in the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game, big decisions loom as to where key chess pieces will be placed on the board or in this case the football field.
The practice week for both teams wrapped up today and the final injury report was also revealed.
Despite all the optimism regarding several veterans possibly returning, questions remain.
David Bakhtiari for instance, didn’t practice Tuesday, gave it a go Wednesday but wasn’t with the boys on Thursday and his apparently still not healed knee has left him questionable for the game. Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling looked like he was past a back injury suffered against Detroit two weeks ago by running around at practice Tuesday but hasn’t worked since and he’s now doubtful. Jaire Alexander has been a limited participant all week and remains questionable in the eyes of the team’s medical staff.
Better news for tackle Billy Turner. “He’s good to go”, said LaFleur after practice. Turner suffered a knee injury in week 14 but was never placed on injured reserve.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb was sent to IR after he heard “something pop” when he caught a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams to cap a five reception, 95 yard first half. Cobb underwent core muscle surgery but his dogged rehabilitation has him back. This afternoon, he was officially activated back onto the 53 man roster giving the Packers a full 53 for the first time in weeks.
That leaves a couple of other mending linebackers in the lurch. Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus have been practicing but LaFleur still isn’t ready to declare them ready for action. Decisions on whether they’re going to dress will be made of Friday. Complicating matters for LaFleur is if either or both edge rushers become active, corresponding roster cuts will have to be made.
We haven’t even gotten to the final 48 who will dress on Saturday night. LaFleur admitted for the first time in a while, the coaching staff will have hard decisions regarding the inactive list. Some players who have been contributing of late, especially on special teams might have to watch in street clothes.
As for the 49ers.
They have three defensive players listed as questionable for the game. One is a big one, defensive end Nick Bosa who led the team with 15 and a half sacks during the season. He’s still working his way through the concussion protocol but did practice late in the week and Shanahan said things are looking “pretty good” for his return. Rookie corner Ambry Thomas and back up pass rusher Jordan Willis also made the list but they also practiced through the week.
Linebacker Fred Warner has fought through a re-sprained ankle from the Wild Card victory in Dallas and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been able to practice despite a ligament strain in his right thumb and a right shoulder injury. Neither had a game day designation.
So before the X’s and O’s come into play, getting the playing pieces lined up to make the plays will take both coaching staffs all the way to Saturday afternoon.
My detailed game preview complete with comments from the participants is coming tomorrow.
