Packers provide injury update on multiple players ahead of Divisional round matchup
As the Green Bay Packers get ready to take on the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional round, the roster for the game is becoming clearer. The Packers provided updates on four players on Thursday.
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur told reporters tackle Billy Turner will be able to play on Saturday, but cornerback Jaire Alexander is questionable. As for linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus, it depends on whether they’re activated from injured reserve, LaFleur said.
Turner has been a full participant in practice this week as he comes off a knee injury. Alexander practiced in a limited capacity this week and, therefore, will be questionable.
Smith hasn’t played since Week 1 due to a back injury that later required surgery. Mercilus suffered a seemingly season-ending injury in November, but has practiced the last couple weeks.
The Packers had a bye during the Wild Card round after locking up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. San Francisco held off the Dallas Cowboys 23-17 to advance to the Divisional round last week.
Kickoff between Green Bay and San Francisco is coming up Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX.
Packers activate Randall Cobb off injured reserve
Rejoice, Packers fans. Randall Cobb is back and ready for the playoffs this weekend.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said yesterday that he expected Cobb to return from his groin injury. He also had surgery on his core after leaving their week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams. He’s since had surgery and now it seems he’s made a full recovery.
LaFleur gave Cobb the “green light” after seeing his progression in practice over the last week or so.
Cobb will rejoin the receiving core that features Davante Adams (1,553 receiving yards) and Allen Lazard (513 yards) as quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ top three targets.
This is Cobb’s ninth season with Rodgers and the Packers. He has since had stints playing for the Cowboys and Texans, but made his return to Green Bay this season, much to Rodgers’ liking.
In July, Gutekunst said that bringing Cobb was a “very important thing to Rodgers.” We’re all too familiar with the Rodgers drama that took place in the offseason, and the Packers’ front office was willing to do whatever necessary to keep him happy, which was a major reason for inquiring for the trade in the first place.
Cobb has hauled in 28 of 39 targets for 375 yards and five touchdowns through 11 games played this season.