NFL insider updates status of Green Bay Packers WR Allen Lazard

NikkiChavanelle

The Green Bay Packers are reportedly optimistic about wide receiver Allen Lazard playing this week, according to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. Although Lazard missed practice earlier in the week after making his season debut versus the Bears, the Packers held him out “by design.”

“Packers WR Allen Lazard (ankle) is optimistic about playing vs. Bucs,” Fowler tweeted on Friday. “It’s up to Green Bay, which is cautious, but I’m told his missing practice time earlier in week was by design coming off of the Bears game. Appears precautionary.”

Last week versus Chicago, Lazard had two catches for 13 yards. He’s coming off of a season with a career-high 40 catches for 513 yards and eight touchdowns.

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The report from Fowler is good news for the Packers offense. However, he delivered a less-than-positive update on wideout Sammy Watkins as well.

“Bigger concern appears to be Sammy Watkins, due to need to rest hamstring injuries,” Fowler added.

Watkins leads the Packers’ receivers this season so far with six catches for 111 yards.

Green Bay signed Watkins this offseason and also drafted three receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, it was running back AJ Dillon that led the team with five catches for 46 yards on Sunday. Rookie Romeo Doubs had four catches for 37 yards, while tight end Robert Tonyan — coming off an ACL injury — had three catches for 36 yards.

Packers Thursday injury report

Thursday’s injury report revealed that Sammy Watkins did not practice due to his hamstring injury. With Lazard, Randall Cobb and Christian Watson all on the list, it appears Aaron Rodgers may be short-handed versus the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Limited Participation – Packers: G/T Elgton Jenkins (Knee), T David Bakhtiari (Knee), DL Kenny Clark (Groin)

Did Not Practice – Packers: WR Randall Cobb (Illness), K Mason Crosby (Illness), WR Allen Lazard (Ankle), TE Marcedes Lewis (Groin), WR Sammy Watkins (Hamstring), WR Christian Watson (Hamstring)