A cold wind blew into Titletown today, as temperatures appear to be rising amongst fans about the unattained expectations for a 3-2 Packers team ready to meet a likewise 3-2 New York Jets squad arriving in front of a strong tail wind with an extremely young team brimming with excited confidence under second year Head Coach Robert Saleh. He won all of four games in his first season.
The story line of the two friends meeting as NFL Head Coaches for the first time in a game that counts had drawn plenty of attention. Sunday, the established contender will have to play like one to keep the upstarts from the Big Apple at arm’s length.
The other big storyline is the right thumb of Aaron Rodgers. Wounded on the final Hail Mary snap in London, Rodgers stayed off the practice field on Wednesday for treatment, saying afterwards it should be fine. Apparently it is. Today, Rodgers went from a DNP to full participant, with a right thumb circled by white tape, tossing the ball through the chilly breeze on Clarke Hinkle Field.
Thursday’s injury report had a couple of other changes. Rashan Gary, off to the best start of his career, is dealing with a toe injury that must have just cropped up. He took part yesterday but was a limited participant today. The other limited players remained the same, David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins and Devonte Wyatt.
The second chance was the usual veteran’s rest day for Marcedes Lewis.
Christian Watson and Tipa Galeai were out for the second straight day with hamstring pulls.
In his pre-practice media session, Matt LaFleur had high praise for Jets receiver Corey Dillon. The two were together in 2018 with the Tennessee Titans.
He also said a good, long look at last year’s number one pick, quarterback Zach Wilson during the joint practices and pre-season game will pay dividends now that he’s returned as the starter following a training camp injury.
As for his own team, LaFleur knows it has been beset by mistakes in a choppy first five games. Could changes in personnel shake things up or even shore things up? Resisting any for the moment, LaFleur said everyone getting snaps is already well advised.
The Packers are eager to move on from the showing against one New York 11 last week, they move on to the other bunch from the Big Apple on Sunday at high noon.
