The worst thing about NFL games played on Thursday night is no one on the Green Bay Packers or those who cover the team are quite sure what day it is. Moments after the pull a rabbit out of the hat 18-17 comeback victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Head Coach Matt LaFleur said for us, tomorrow is Wednesday with the Detroit Lions coming fast and first place in the NFC North is on the line. After the squad was given a day off, they returned to work today and combined two days into one, Wednesday and Thursday if you will and it’s only Tuesday!
The showdown with Motown kicks off at 7:15 PM at Lambeau Field on Thursday night, I think.
LaFleur conducted the only real practice of the week today (closed to the media), with a second walk through thrown in for good measure to make sure the game plan sinks in. Complicating matters is the fact the plan may or may not include a host of key players on both sides of the ball. There’s still a long injury list on this short week.
There were encouraging developments during the open locker room period. Christian Watson was asked straight away if he’d be making his season debut against Detroit. “That’s the plan”, he blurted out. Watson pulled his hamstring at the last practice of training camp in August. He was listed as a limited participant on the official injury report. LaFleur applauded his confidence but said it’s not a done deal yet, the second year big play threat still needs medical clearance. Fellow wide receiver Romeo Doubs seemed convinced Aaron Jones would also be back Thursday night after pulling his hamstring in the season opener in Chicago and sitting out the last two weeks. LaFleur was cautionary about the running back as well saying how he feels on Wednesday will go a long way toward a return, adding he’s “cautiously optimistic”.
Right tackle Zach Tom was also listed as a limited participant today after suffering a knee injury late in the Saints game. That’s a good indication it wasn’t as serious as it looked. The other limited participants were Jaire Alexander (back), Rashan Gary (knee) and Carrington Valentine (biceps).
Four players haven’t practiced this week, David Bakhtiari (knee), De’Vondre Campbell (ankle), Zayne Anderson (hamstring) and Elgton Jenkins (knee) who is still a week or two away from a sprained MCL mending.
On the off day, the three coordinators met reporters. Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry was proud of how his troops bounced back from a substandard showing in Atlanta. He marveled at Gary’s production on limited snap counts, piling up a career high 3 sacks against the Saints. Barry said Rashan wants to play every snap but the plan is to gradually build up his playing time. Backups filling in for Alexander, both Valentine and practice squad callup Corey Ballentine held their own in coverage, as did inside linebackers Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson once Campbell went down before halftime with his ankle sprain. Barry knows Jared Goff well from their days together in Los Angeles when Goff quarterbacked the Rams all the way to the Super Bowl. He called him “elite” with an excellent supporting cast around him, offering a stern test Thursday night.
Offensive Coordinator Adam Stenavich acknowledged the slow start before the big finish against New Orleans. Penalties are putting the offense behind the chains too often and miscommunication foiled a few big plays, including the 4th and 2 incompletion from Love to running back Patrick Taylor. Stenavich said Rasheed Walker and Royce Newman held up well in pass protection against a very good New Orleans front. He’s not down on A.J. Dillon’s sour looking production (39 attempts, 107 yards, 2.7 average). Stenavich said a couple of big runs were wiped out by holds and point of attack blocking needs to improve. The OC also talked about an increasing number of unique, if not downright gadget plays that have made their way into game plans. There was a double reverse in the opener, a first snap flea flicker in Atlanta and the unfortunate double pass on the opening series last weekend. Even Keisean Nixon got his wish to get an offensive snap, gaining 11 yards on a sweep, not bad for the All Pro kick returner and nickel back. Stenavich said the young players get fired up about the trickery and it gives opposing defensive coordinators a little something to think about. More may be on the way.
Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia had to explain how Rashid Shaheed took a punt 76 yards for a touchdown last week. He said it was combination of things, a sub-standard punt into the wind from Daniel Whelan and breakdowns in coverage lane integrity. It brought back nightmares from the pre-Bisaccia days but it was more the exception rather than the rule so far this year with sound cover teams. Bisaccia also expressed happiness for Nixon and his ever evolving role on the team. They were together for three years with the Raiders and Bisaccia said once Keisean was signed by the Packers, he’s played much more freely. Given a shot in the return game, he flourished. Nixon won the starting nickel job, the “star” position in Barry’s defense on day one in training camp and now he’s getting to have some fun on offense. Even LaFleur said he can’t recall having a player who’s almost full time on defense, has the potential to be a unique offensive weapon and still play on all five special teams units, becoming one of the league’s best returners.
The team will have one last walkthrough on Wednesday, which is like a Saturday, before a very big early season NFC North matchup.
