Packers-Giants Final Injury Update: Watson Removed; Jones Among Four Dubious

admin | December 10, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Aaron Jones, the running back for the Green Bay Packers, was limited in his activity on Saturday for the third day in a row.

It appears that Jones may be ready to make a comeback to the starting lineup for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants.

On coach Matt LaFleur’s final injury report of the week, Jones, safety Darnell Savage, cornerback Eric Stokes, and cornerback Jaire Alexander were all listed as questionable. Linebacker Quay Walker is questionable, and receiver Christian Watson is out.

In the event that practice on Saturday goes as planned, Jones, the coaches, and the training staff will determine whether he plays on Monday or if he has to wait a week to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

When asked about his indicator of readiness for game action, Jones responded, “I would say just being able to put that foot in the ground and then get up to full speed,” following Friday’s practice. “The hit is the only thing you don’t know about; you don’t know you’re taking a hit until it occurs. However, I believe it’s more evident when you’re moving quickly because you can cut and plant your foot in the ground however you see fit.

Jones’s sprained MCL prevented him from playing in the last two games. The last significant test for Jones’ potential return came on Saturday during practice, as he missed games against the Chiefs and Lions due to a knee injury sustained during the team’s victory over the Chargers.

Despite the fact that the Packers prevailed in those three games, his return would help the team as a leader, receiver, and runner.

Adam Stenavich, the offensive coordinator, praised “his dynamic playmaking ability of obviously running the ball but in the pass game, as well.” However, we’re fortunate to have AJ (Dillon). Being our workhorse for the last half of the season, he’s done a pretty good job. Although he may not have the same flash as Aaron Jones, he is a reliable player who has performed admirably in all that.

Reporters only saw the pre-practice phase inside the Don Hutson Center, as is customary for the last practice of the week. The only players not to go outside for the start of practice were Walker (shoulder) and Watson (hamstring).

Watson missed practice this week due to a hamstring injury he sustained late in the Chiefs game. The more pressing concern is not if he will play against the Giants, but rather how many games he will miss due to his most recent hamstring injury.

Christian is undoubtedly a key component of our attack, LaFleur remarked following practice. He’s truly found his calling. That’s unfortunate because it took him a while to get started in our system this year, so that’s obviously not great. I feel good about the other guys, but he’s made so many amazing plays in the last few weeks.

“They’ve really grown, in my opinion, and we have a lot of players who can fill in at different positions to help make up for that setback. The absence of one guy presents an opportunity for the group as a whole, and I believe those guys are up to the challenge.”

Walker did not show up for any of this week’s three practices, despite having played in 13 tackles against the Chiefs. Thus, it is very likely that Isaiah McDuffie will make his seventh start of the year.

“When called upon, he’s always answered the bell,” LaFleur said.

Due to a sore shoulder, left guard Elgton Jenkins was not able to practice on Friday. However, LaFleur stated that the team was being cautious in his absence. As it happens, he was absent from the final report when practice began on Saturday.

For the second straight week, Alexander was in the practice field all week. It’s important to note, though, that he hasn’t truly missed a practice since the Wednesday prior to the Week 11 matchup with the Chargers. Will this be the week he makes a comeback after missing the previous four games due to a shoulder injury? Alexander will make that decision.

“Especially when you’re talking about elite corners, it’s a tough one to battle,” he said.

Three of the Giants’ most important offensive players won’t be available. The first is undoubtedly quarterback Daniel Jones, who is sidelined due to an ACL tear that ended his season. Darren Waller, a tight end, is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, but he hopes to be back next week. Additionally, right tackle Evan Neal—a valuable asset on a faltering offensive line and the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft—will miss one more game due to an ankle injury.

Additionally, receiver Paris Campbell’s knee injury was noted in the injury report. He is dubious and did not practice. His kickoff return average is 23.9 yards, and he has 20 receptions. In the last two months, Neal has only participated in one game. Despite his rehab work, he is not yet ready to leave. It hurts, to tell you the truth. This week in New York, he said to reporters, “You know what I’m saying?” But football is involved.

While it’s sometimes necessary to play through discomfort, I do want to make sure that I’ll be prepared for when I return to the field. Nobody would want to enter a war without any ammunition in their gun, and that’s where I am, so I will undoubtedly have bullets in my gun to shoot with.

PACKERS FINAL INJURY REPORT Out:

WR Christian Watson (hamstring).

Doubtful: LB Quay Walker (shoulder),