The Green Bay Packers will say goodbye to the team this week. While the Packers need to improve in several key areas following the bye, the most critical aspect of the off week is the opportunity to rest and recover from injuries.
Matt LaFleur’s team said goodbye to football. No player is fully well two months into the season, but several key players were either injured and sidelined or played with senior injuries in last week’s home loss to the Detroit Lions.
Getting balmy will require the best players to bring their best. Here are critical packers who need to take care of their health during the farewell:
QB Jordan Love (knee/groin)
This bye should give Love a chance to completely forget about the MCL sprain he suffered in Week 1, while also giving his strained groin more time to reach 100 percent performance before the Packers return to practice and begin on-field preparations before the Bears game in next week. The missed practice time almost certainly impacted Love’s performance in the game. Remember, he’s a second-year starter who missed a lot of reps this season due to injury. A regular round of full training sessions and two well legs could aid him rediscover his timing with receivers – which will likely translate into better ball placement – and give him better mobility in and out of the pocket. Love has only lost five times this season.
CB Jaire Alexander (knee)
The Packers’ top cornerback missed his second game of the 2024 season with a knee injury before the bye. The team has deemed him unavailable for Week 9, so it’s possible the knee injury isn’t a long-term issue and Alexander will return next week ready to play. The two-time All-Pro had been battling quadriceps and groin injuries before the up-to-date knee problem. The Packers need Alexander to be well, available and play at a dominant level throughout the game. He is the team’s best corner by a mile.
C Josh Myers (wrist)
Myers’ unavailability with a wrist injury hurt the Packers in the rain against the Lions. Will the injury be a factor in deciding to say goodbye? Any hand or wrist injury is grave for a player who must hold the ball and apply his hands to block 315-pound shots on every snap. The Packers could survive with Elgton Jenkins under center and Jordan Morgan and Sean Rhyan on defense, but last week’s loss showed how arduous it is to make a change under center.
RB Josh Jacobs (ankle)
Jacobs suffered a bruised ankle in Jacksonville and played through the injury last week. However, it clearly involves pain, and Jacobs briefly left the field after limping off last Sunday. Running backs take a lot of punishment during the season, so the bye came at a good time for Jacobs. He has been a consistent producer all season long, and the Packers need him to carry a ponderous load over the last eight games. After saying goodbye, he should be almost 100 percent ready.
DL Kenny Clark (toe)
Although he hasn’t missed a game, Clark has been quietly on the report with a toe injury since Week 2. One wonders if the toe problem may affect his performance on the pitch. Foot injuries can be a major concern for the 314-pound defensive lineman, who relies on explosion and strength off the ball. He also added that he suffered a shoulder injury last week. Will a week off allow Clark to deal with his injuries? In nine games, Clark recorded zero sacks, two quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss. He needs to be much more productive as a striker in the last eight games.
OL Elgton Jenkins (glute/knee)
Like Clark, Jenkins has been dealing with a lingering injury for most of the season. The veteran offensive lineman has been dealing with knee and glute injuries for most of the last six weeks, but hasn’t missed a game. While Jenkins only allowed eight tackles in pass defense, he has consistently posted destitute run blocking grades at PFF.
TE Tucker Kraft (shoulder)
The Packers wore Kraft in a red, non-contact uniform during practice to protect his injured shoulder. He also played after a groin injury. The shoulder is probably the more significant injury considering Kraft is an critical line and motion blocker in the running game. A week off for his shoulder should aid the Packers’ rising newborn receiver play even better over the last two months.
S. Evan Williams (hamstring)
The rookie fourth-round pick has become one of the Packers’ most critical defenders, and the defense missed him badly in Jacksonville and last week against the Lions when he was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The week off should be exactly what the doctor ordered, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Williams is ready to return next week against the Bears. Once Williams is available, the Packers could move Javon Bullard to the outfield and Keisean Nixon to the outfield, which appears to be the preferred defensive lineup. Above all, the Packers need Williams’ secure combination of reliability and playmaking ability.
RB MarShawn Lloyd (ankle)
The Packers believe Lloyd is close to coming off injured reserve and returning to the 53-man roster. In fact, Brian Gutekunst said Lloyd could take Preston Smith’s spot next week. While the Packers are in good shape on the counter-attack, Lloyd could add a bit more momentum to the offense later in the game. The rookie has sporadic speed at 220 pounds. He may be arduous to find as a backup option behind Josh Jacobs in December and January.
DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
Before his ankle injury, Wyatt had nine tackles and three sacks in four games. Since returning from his ankle injury, Wyatt has only three rushes in 30 pass rushes. He had constrained training opportunities prior to the Lions game, so it’s possible Wyatt will return next week and be closer to full participation. The Packers need him and Clark to destroy inside games to finish the 2024 season.
