Packers-Chiefs Injury Report: AJ Returns But Two Stars Out.
AJ Dillon’s return could give the Green Bay Packers one of their best tailbacks against the Kansas City
Packers WR Jayden Reed did not practice on Thursday as he recovers from a chest injury that sidelined him last week against the Detroit Lions.
The Green Bay Packers improved on Thursday in terms of their running game and secondary, but their wide receiver group could be without one of their key players for Sunday’s game against theKansas City Chiefs.
Reed spent part of Wednesday inside the practice facility at Don Hutson Center, before heading toward the exercise equipment at the rear of the facility. He stayed inside on Thursday, trailing the rest of the group.
Reed said he did not have a setback in his recovery from the injury he sustained against the Chargers, despite playing on a short week against the Lions. “I wouldn’t say I had a setback,” Reed said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time and trying to get better and ready to go on Sunday.
Reed, a second-round draft pick, ranks second on the team in receptions (36), first in receiving yards (498) and second in receiving touchdowns (6). He ranks in the top 10 among rookies in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, and is No. 1 in the NFL with seven catches of 30 yards or more, the most of any Packers rookie since 2000. “He’s a great competitor and he’s helped us not just in the passing game, but getting the ball in the hands whether it’s on a reverse, around, whatever it might be, screens, and I really like how he competes in both the run game and the pass game, so he’s made plays when he’s given the opportunity to do so,” LaFleur added.
After missing the past two practices due to a groin injury, Dillon returned to practice. The absence of Aaron Jones due to a knee injury, as well as the departure of Emanuel Wilson to injured reserve, will leave the burden of carrying the ball on the backs against a potent Chiefs defense.
The defense could also be heating up – with a prime time matchup against league MVP Patrick Mahomes.
Jaire Alexander (shoulder) practiced for the second day in a row after being inactive for the past three games. “We’ll see how it goes, Jaire,” LaFleur said.
Darnell Savage (calf) practiced for the first time since going full-contact on Wednesday. Savage had been on injured reserve for the past five games with a calf injury. “It feels great to be back out there,” Savage said.
The Packers have been without safety Rudy Ford (biceps) for the past two games and three of the past four games overall. Is Ford ready to return or will the Packers continue to go with Jonathan Owens? “We’re looking at that right now,” LaFleur said.
Cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring), who was activated from IR on Monday after being out for five games, was also on the inactive list.
The only players absent from the morning practice were Reed, Jones and Robert Rochell, who was listed as a limited participant due to a calf issue.
The Packers had 15 players on the injury report on Wednesday, with 12 of them not practicing or limited, while the Chiefs had just two.
It was 12-2 on Thursday, and all of the Chiefs’ players were on the field. Running back Jerick McCinnon was listed as limited on Thursday after being held out on Wednesday.
On the Packers’ Thursday injury report, RB Aaron Jones was ruled out with a knee injury, WR Jayden Reed with a chest injury, CB Robert Rochell with a calf injury, and CB Jaire Alexander with a shoulder injury.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark with a neck injury, TE Josiah DeGuara with a hip injury, RB AJ Dillon with a groin injury, S Rudy Ford with a biceps injury, DE Rashan Gary with a shoulder injury, CB Eric Stokes with a hamstring injury, WR Dontay Vion Wicks with a knee injury.
