Strong comeback for Ty Montgomery key for Green Bay Packers

Everyone is talking about Jordy Nelson and his comeback effort in 2016, but lost in all the noise surrounding Nelson is Ty Montgomery – the second-year receiver who showed so much promise in 2015 before he was finally shut down with a high ankle sprain that wouldn’t heal.

And while all eyes will be on Nelson, there should be at least a sideways glance toward Montgomery.

In my eyes, it’s the return of Montgomery and his progress to get back to 100 percent healthy that could be the most important storyline for the Packers receiving corps.

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Montgomery, if healthy, could easily be the player who slides ahead of Davante Adams as the Packers #3 receiver.

We all know what happened with Adams last year … his fall from grace was highlighted by drops and incompletions that many felt shouldn’t have been.

But that was after Montgomery went down in week six.

In the opener at Chicago Montgomery showed his value and versatility when he had kickoff returns of 41 and 46 yards. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks he caught three balls in a fourth-quarter touchdown drive, and then in his third start at home against San Diego, he had two catches for 11 yards early in the game before suffering the injury that would keep him out for weeks before he was finally placed on injured reserve to end his rookie season.

For the next eight weeks, he tried to come back, but the ankle never responded – a fact that eventually led to offseason surgery. Because of that surgery, Montgomery was still on the sidelines for the first OTA last week.

But, according to Montgomery, in a story published by the Green Bay Press Gazette, he is on his way to recovery and folks shouldn’t lose confidence in him.

“It’s definitely frustrating to not be out there,” Montgomery told the Press Gazette. “Injuries stink and they’re not fun — but there’s positivity and hope in the fact that you’re going to come back. And that’s what you look forward to.”

Even head coach Mike McCarthy has been patient and impressed: “I give the young man a lot of credit,” McCarthy said during the NFL owners meetings in March. “He’s a tough young man. Fought like crazy to get back on the field, and he’s been very diligent in his rehab.”

He also indicated that he had no long-term concerns about whether Montgomery will be back on the field soon.

As with any injury, a player must first deal with the healing aspect of the particular body part, but must also regain their endurance and get back into “football shape.”

Montgomery appears to be well on his way in all aspects of his recovery.

According to reports, he was pain-free after the surgery, but it will still take time for him to eventually get back on the field.

How his recovery proceeds from now until training camp will help the team determine exactly how they want their receiving corps to look when September rolls around.

He’s an important spoke in that wheel and if he doesn’t recover like many feel he should, it will shake up the depth chart at the position. Those deep in the chart would benefit – guys like Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis and rookie Trevor Davis – not to mention the undrafteds who might make a splash.

The Packers, once again, are stacked at wide receiver and a simple injury like an ankle sprain could be the difference between making the team and not.

Green Bay coaches and trainers are going to do everything they can to get Montgomery back on the field for the 2016 season. The team needs his versatility and talents – and that’s why his recovery is so important.

Yes, let’s watch and hope that Jordy Nelson makes a full recovery. We all saw his importance to this team when he went down with his injury in training camp last year.

But even more important in helping to round out the Packers receiving corps will be a healthy Montgomery.

“Honestly, I haven’t had any problems with it since the surgery. I’ve been doing everything I’ve been asked to do,” Montgomery said. “I feel really good, I don’t have any problems or concerns.”

Let’s hope so.

Next: Remember those who gave it all

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