The Green Bay Packers had to enjoy the long weekend, basking in the fact that at 7-1, they at least share the best record in the NFL, coming off a spirited win in Arizona, knocking the Cardinals from the ranks of the unbeaten, despite the ever growing list of injuries that could easily have spoiled their mini-bye.
The weekend included the team’s annual Halloween party, organized by Marcedes Lewis and held at the Automobile Gallery and Event Center downtown. The highlight of course, was the much anticipated costume of Aaron Rodgers who said letting his hair grow for a year gave him the perfect look of none other than action movie hero John Wick.
The quarterback was pretty spot on with Keanu Reeves.
Lewis, put on the villain mask of Bane from the Dark Knight Rises, David Bakhtiari and his fiancee were a sassy Cheech and Chong, practice squad tight end Bronson Kafusi and his wife took best costume honors though for a Frankenstein and his bride.
The team needed the release and some fun after a grueling eight week stretch, knowing they have another month of difficult games before the full by week off in December.
Add to the schedule difficulty with the ever mounting injuries. Today, the Packers officially placed Robert Tonyan and Kylin Hill on injured reserve. Both suffered ACL tears against the Cardinals that will require season ending surgery.
But there were encouraging sights on Clarke Hinkle Field today as the team got back into the swing of things with a quick, 30 minute workout on a brisk first day of November.
Continuing his push to get activated off the physically unable to perform list was the All Pro left tackle.
David Bakhtiari works out.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur said after practice they’ll keep a close eye on Bakhtiari. The team has until November 8 to activate him or declare him out for the season. That won’t be the case, but he can be activated at any time. Might be best to keep this week’s opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs guessing.
Also back were a pair of wide receivers.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard ready to run routes.
Allen Lazard has been activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive last week and missing the Arizona trip. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been out a month with a hamstring pull. He was close to getting brought up last week and it’s apparent the Packers should have been back for this weekend.
Davante Adams on the other hand, was not at today’s practice, assuming he’s still under COVID protocols after his positive test last week. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who also tested positive, should be in line for a return by Thursday according to LaFleur.
One other familiar face was on the practice field for the first time in a long time.
Za’Darius Smith (far left) observes practice.
Za’Darius Smith was in uniform, wearing a mask instead of a helmet, but watching his fellow linebackers practice for the first time since undergoing surgery to fix a lingering back issue. LaFleur said the team is hopeful Smith might be able to return at some point this year, but he only arrived in Green Bay over the weekend and is just beginning his rehabilitation program.
LaFleur was very emotional after the game about the loss of Tonyan, saying it “sickened” him as a coach. He believes the tight end room and the entire offense will be able to pick up the considerable slack his absence will leave and moving to the front of the line will be second year tight end Josiah Deguara:
Deguara himself suffered a season ending ACL tear in the 2020 season opener. The former third round pick from Cincinnati has slowly gotten into the rotation on offense with more snaps and touches and he believes he’s ready for the increased role.
The coaching staff, and I’m sure most of the players, will tune into the Monday Night Football game to get a sneak peek at the Kansas City Chiefs who host the New York Giants at Arrowhead Stadium, which is where the Packers are headed on Sunday. A regular day off comes tomorrow before the game plan goes in on Wednesday.
