Green Bay Packers activate Elgton Jenkins, Robert Tonyan, Christian Watson from PUP list
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has revealed that three key members of their offensive production have been removed from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Those removed include offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins, tight end Robert Tonyan and rookie wideout Christian Watson are now available to participate in individual drills and walk-through participation.
“It’s the next step in the process … We’re excited about it,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “I think the guys are really excited about it as well. They’re going to feel more a part of it. But we’re still going to make sure we do it the right way. You’re talking about significant injuries and certainly their health and safety is at the forefront of every decision we make.”
Those are just three of the nine names that were originally placed on the list prior to the start of training camp. Mason Crosby, Dean Lowry, Kylin Hill, Hauati Pututau, Randy Ramsey, and Patrick Taylor all remain on the list for various reasons as the first week of preseason action wraps up.
If any of those six names still on the list remain when Week One rolls around, they will be forced to miss a minimum of four weeks for recovery – so LaFleur and the Packers are glad to have three of their biggest offensive names that were on the list be removed.
In terms of the skill position players removed from the list, the franchise drafted Watson out of North Dakota State with the No. 34 overall selection in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s expected to compete for playing time in his rookie season, while Tonyan – even though his appearance on the list was expected due to his recovery from his torn ACL – he hauled in 204 receiving yards and two touchdowns in just eight games of action before going down with his ACL injury.
Those stats aren’t indicative of Tonyan’s abilities on the field, though. He showcased his potential in 2020 for the Packers – hauling in 52 catches for 586 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
With a limited amount of pass catchers in the mix, Aaron Rodgers is surely glad to have Watson and Tonyan back on the field and working toward a return. He’ll also be excited for Jenkins to return, who is expected to become a free agent at the end of the year. Jenkins is expected to be a highly-touted commodity in the market as a top-10 potential free agent.