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Packers Williams and Martin ruled out for Thursday

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Jamaal Williams

Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin were both designated by the NFL as high-risk close contacts to AJ Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.  Both players have been ruled out for Thursday night’s game at San Francisco against the 49ers.

NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero first reported the news.  Anyone with “high-risk” close contact exposure must isolate for five days.  That means Williams and Martin, provided they don’t test positive for COVID, can rejoin the Packers on Saturday at the earliest.

As of now, the Packers and 49ers game remains a “go” for Thursday night in Santa Clara.

The Packers are hoping Aaron Jones can return to the lineup for the game.  He has missed the last two games because of a calf strain.  If Jones can’t return, they’re down to a pair of running backs, Tyler Ervin and practice squad player Dexter Williams.

Packers still on for Thursday against 49ers

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Matt LaFleur

As of late Monday, the Green Bay Packers game on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers is still on, despite Packers rookie running back AJ Dillon being ruled out of the game after a positive COVID-19 test on Monday.

Dillon is the Packers second-round draft pick.  He played 10 snaps on offense and seven more on special teams in Sunday’s 28-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

At his Zoom meeting with reporters on Monday, coach Matt LaFleur said he is operating under the assumption that Thursday’s game at San Francisco will be played.

“All indications point toward us playing on Thursday night,” LaFleur said.  “I think the league has confidence that we’ve [Read more…]

Packers rookie RB AJ Dillon tests positive for COVID-19

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#28 AJ Dillon

With the Green Bay Packers on a short week and their next game at San Francisco on Thursday night, rookie running back AJ Dillon has tested positive for COVID-19.  NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero first reported the news this morning.

Dillon will immediately go on the reserve/COVID-19 reserve list.  He played 10 snaps in Sunday’s 28-22 Green Bay loss to Minnesota.

The team issued the following statement this morning:

“The Packers were informed today that a player has tested positive for COVID-19.  Our organization has entered the NFL’s intensive protocol and the player has self-quarantined.  We will continue to work with the league on contact tracing as we follow the guidelines of intensive protocol.  All player meetings will be conducted virtually today.

“Our focus continues to be on the health and safety of our players, staff and community.  We will continue to work closely with the NFL and medical professionals and follow their guidance.”

The Packers could be forced to quarantine players who had direct contact with Dillon.  They’ll know more about who that may be when they complete contact tracing.  Players are required to wear electronic tracing devices everywhere they go on team property and the devices register when and for how long a player was within six feet of another player.

The Packers cancelled player Zoom availability that was scheduled for Monday afternoon.  Coach Matt LaFleur will still meet with reporters virtually at a time yet to be determined.

 

Seattle’s Wilson off to great start

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Russell Wilson

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson leads the NFL with 22 touchdown passes and a 119.5 passer rating this season.

In his nine-year career, the former Wisconsin Badger has 249 touchdown passes and a 102.2 passer rating, the second-highest mark in NFL history (minimum 1,500 attempts), behind only Aaron Rodgers (102.8).

With a touchdown pass on Sunday against San Francisco, Wilson will become the third player to reach 250 touchdown passes in his first nine seasons in NFL history, joining Peyton Manning (275 touchdown passes) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (266).

With at least three touchdown passes on Sunday, Wilson will have reached 25 touchdown passes in a season for the seventh time in his career and will join Manning (nine seasons) as the only players in NFL history with at least 25 touchdown passes in seven of their first nine seasons.

Last season, Wilson became the first quarterback in league history with a winning record in each of his first eight seasons.  With a win Sunday, Wilson will tie Manning (92 wins) for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first nine seasons in NFL history.  Wilson will also tie Tom Brady (101) for the most wins, including the postseason, by a quarterback in his first nine seasons in NFL history.

 

Packers Crosby could miss first ever NFL game

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Mason Crosby

Since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 collegiate draft, Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby could be looking at the possibility of missing his very first game.

Crosby didn’t practice on Wednesday and showed up on the teams injury report with calf and back injuries.  It’s not known when Crosby suffered the injuries, but he kicked in last Sunday’s win over the Texans and could have gotten hurt in that contest.

Crosby has appeared in 234 consecutive regular season and playoff games for the Packers since arriving in Green Bay.

The Packers have worked out a number of kickers over the past several weeks, but hadn’t signed any of them to the practice squad as possible insurance.  Now, former Alabama-Birmingham kicker, Nick Vogel, is in Green Bay, going through the five-day COVID-19 testing protocol.  If he comes out of the testing process clean, then he’s expected to tryout for the [Read more…]

Packers bounce back to beat Texans in Houston

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Davante Adams

One week after suffering their first loss of the season in Tampa, the Green Bay Packers rebounded to rout the Houston Texans 35-20 on Sunday in Houston.

With four starters sidelined, the Packers turned to wide receiver Davante Adams, who combined with quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a big day.

Rodgers passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns, while Adams set career highs with 13 receptions for 196 yards to go along with two touchdowns.

The Packers jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and had a 28-7 advantage after three quarters.  The offense converted on seven of their 12 third down opportunities with all seven coming on Adams receptions.

Rodgers also hit Malik Taylor and tight end Jace Sternberger for their first career regular-season touchdowns.

The Packers started the game without David Bakhtiari and Aaron Jones on offense and Kevin King and safety Darnell Savage on defense.  They lost safety Raven Green with an oblique injury and linebacker Krys Barnes with a shoulder injury. [Read more…]

Bakhtiari sits out Wednesday, questionable for Sunday

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David Bakhtiari

After leaving last Sunday’s loss at Tampa with a chest injury, Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari didn’t practice on Wednesday.  It was a day that the Packers went with a shorter, lighter practice after coach Matt LaFleur told reporters earlier in the day that the team would work inside the Hutson Center because they’re banged up.  A total of thirteen players showed up on the teams injury report, which was put out later in the day.

Tyler Lancaster (shoulder), Darnell Savage (quadriceps), Robert Tonyan (ankle) and Tyler Ervin (wrist), also didn’t practice on Wednesday.  A number of other players, including cornerback Kevin King, were limited participants.

Rodgers less than thrilled with question

The first question delivered to Aaron Rodgers during his weekly session with reporters got under his skin on Wednesday.  Rodgers was asked if opponents had figured out coach Matt LaFleur’s offense and his response was short and pointed.

“So because of one game, what is it you’re implying?”  When asked again, Rodgers said, “One out of five.”

Rodgers continued to answer questions, but near the end, he was told by another reporter that he seemed down in the dumps.

“I’m definitely not down in the dumps, so don’t project that onto me.  That’s not a reality,” he said.

 

Packers suffer first loss, Rodgers picked twice (AUDIO)

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Aaron Rodgers

Raymond James Stadium in Tampa has been a house of horrors in Aaron Rodgers career and it continued on Sunday.  Rodgers threw a pair of interceptions, including just the third pick-six of his career, sending the Green Bay Packers (4-1) to a 38-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their first defeat of the season.

The two interceptions were the first of the season for Rodgers.  The first pick came on a third down with Rodgers looking for his favorite receiver, Davante Adams in the flat.  Buccaneers safety Jamel Dean read Rodgers all the way, stepped in front of Adams and scampered 32-yards for a touchdown.

Two of the three interceptions thrown by Rodgers that were turned into interceptions, took place at Raymond James Stadium.  The pick-six started a Tampa Bay run of 38 straight points for the Buccaneers, after they originally fell behind 10-0.

Just as stunning came Rodgers second interception of the day, just two passes later.  Davante Adams was the intended target again, but the ball was tipped and it landed in the arms of safety Mike Edwards, who returned it to the 2-yard line, where the Bucs scored a play later on a Ronald Jones II touchdown run.  Jones rushed for 113 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns against the Packers defense. [Read more…]

Packers getting healthier coming out of bye week

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Kamal Martin

While not totally healthy, the Green Bay Packers are getting closer as they come out of their early week five bye week.

With two spots open on the 53-man roster, the Packers welcomed back rookie inside linebacker Kamal Martin and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown to the practice field on Monday.  Both players can return to the 53-man roster at any time over the next three weeks.

Martin turned heads in training camp, even without the benefit of an on-field offseason program or preseason games.  He was in line to start next to veteran Christian Kirksey before injuring his left knee in practice in late August and having surgery the very next day.

There’s a chance Martin could be ready to go when the Packers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa.

St. Brown also is returning from a knee injury that he suffered in training camp and would be a welcomed addition.  Even though Davante Adams is expected to return to the lineup this week after missing time with a hamstring injury, The Packers are still light at wide receiver after Allen Lazard was sidelined with a core muscle injury.

Packers lose rookie TE Deguara to torn ACL

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The Green Bay Packers lost their third-round draft pick, TE Josiah Deguara to a season-ending knee injury in Monday’s 30-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field.

Deguara was hurt while blocking on a punt and had already missed the two previous games with an ankle injury.

“Unfortunately, it looks to be a pretty bad one,” coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday,  “So, you know, I hurt for Josiah.  I love what he’s all about, the mentality he brings and he’s certainly somebody we were really excited about.  And it’s been a little bit of a roller coaster because in terms of I thought he had a great game vs. Minnesota in Week 1, and then he goes out with an ankle injury, you know; it’s just been, it’s been tough.  But we expect him to bounce back from it and we still think he has a really bright future in this league.” [Read more…]