GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers put Allen Lazard on the reserve/COVID-19 checklist on Tuesday, that means the staff may very well be with out its prime three huge receivers heading into Thursday’s recreation towards the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals.
The information about Lazard, who was added to the checklist as a detailed contact, comes at some point after main receiver Davante Adams landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Lazard by all indications shouldn’t be vaccinated and must quarantine for 5 days, that means he’ll miss Thursday’s recreation.
That signifies that except Marquez Valdes-Scantling can come off injured reserve — he is missed the final 4 video games with a hamstring harm, however there’s hope he can return this week — the Packers may very well be with out their prime three wideouts vs. Arizona.
“There’s a little bit little bit of a shock issue for positive,” Rodgers mentioned about studying of Adams’ check. “However we handled it final 12 months. We’re possibly barely extra wholesome than a number of the different groups so far as not having as many instances. However there have been instances right here and we have handled them.”
Veteran Randall Cobb, who returned to the Packers this season after a 12 months in Dallas and a 12 months in Houston, may very well be Aaron Rodgers‘ main goal towards the Cardinals. Operating again Aaron Jones is second on the staff with 26 receptions.
The Packers did a little bit bit of excellent information in that receiver Malik Taylor, who has been on the COVID checklist since Oct. 15, was activated on Tuesday.
The one approach that Adams would be capable of play in Thursday’s recreation is that if he is asymptomatic and has two detrimental exams 24 hours aside. He hasn’t been compelled to comply with protocols for unvaccinated gamers, a sign that he’s vaccinated.
The Packers are scheduled to depart for Phoenix on Wednesday, and Adams couldn’t journey with the staff with out two detrimental exams. He might conceivably journey on the day of the sport, nonetheless, if that is when he acquired the second detrimental check.
“I’ve talked to him,” Rodgers mentioned of Adams. “He appears to be health-wise doing OK. Clearly, he is disenchanted.”
Rodgers, who had hoped it might be a false optimistic check for Adams, on Tuesday mentioned he was not involved about his personal COVID standing, though he didn’t elaborate.
In the meantime, the Packers have managed to win all six video games that Adams has missed during the last two seasons — two final season and 4 in 2019.
“I do not know [how we’ve gone 6-0 without Adams],” Rodgers mentioned after a chuckle. “We’re not a greater staff with out him, that is for positive. I would have to take a look at every of these video games, however we have simply discovered a approach in these video games.”
Remarkably, Rodgers and the Packers have truly been extra productive on offense with out Adams for these six video games than with him for the reason that begin of the 2019 season — 32.8 factors per recreation with him; 25.9 per recreation with out. Different statistics which can be higher with out Adams within the lineup: Rodgers’ completion proportion (70% with out in comparison with 66% with) and passing yards per recreation (311 vs. 247).
Rodgers has 17 touchdowns and one interception in these six video games with out Adams.
The Cardinals are aware of Rodgers’ success with out Adams on the sector, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph recited the Packers’ stats with out Adams off the highest of his head. Joseph identified that when quarterbacks like Rodgers haven’t got their star receiver, the duty to hold an offense falls on them.
“Typically it helps them to play a good cleaner recreation,” Joseph mentioned. “He isn’t compelled to pressure the ball to Adams. And when you have got a man like Adams who’s a quantity move catcher, you could possibly sort of entice him into throwing the ball to Adams some. However with out Adams, it is gonna pressure Aaron to play a real recreation and that is, typically, harmful for us.
“However he is performed his finest ball with out Adams. And once more, not having Adams shouldn’t be good for them, but it surely’s gonna pressure Aaron to play a cleaner recreation. Historical past exhibits you, he is performed good and so we’ll see the way it works out [Thursday].”
Adams ranks third within the NFL with 744 receiving yards on 52 receptions, which is tied for second, however he has been saved comparatively in verify the final two weeks with 10 whole catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Nonetheless, Adams’ receptions this season are twice as many as Jones and 37 greater than Lazard (15), which is the most important hole between No. 1 and No. 2 receivers on a staff within the NFL.
It is now on coach Matt LaFleur, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing recreation coordinator Luke Getsy to one way or the other make a plan that works.
“I imply it undoubtedly will get altered, for positive,” Rodgers mentioned. “You understand he hasn’t had the identical kind of targets as possibly the primary 5 weeks the final two weeks. However he is undoubtedly a focus of our offense.”
Whereas Cobb wasn’t round for the six video games with out Adams within the lineup, it appears like LaFleur and his employees could have talked about the staff’s document with out Adams a time or two.
“Yeah, yeah, we have heard, we have heard,” Cobb mentioned. “It is 6-0.”
ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss contributed to this report.
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