Packers-Raiders could use ‘shortened field’, per report

Due to concerns with the field, the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders could use a “shortened field” during their preseason game on Thursday night.

Tonight’s game between the Packers and Raiders takes place at IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. But in the buildup to the game this evening, there have been concerns about the field.

Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that only about an hour prior to kickoff, a group of Packers staff, and team president Mark Murphy, were looking at the field in the north end zone.

And with there appearing to be a potential issue in that end zone, Fox 11 Sports Director Josh Moser reported that there is talk of the game being played on a “shortened field”, although he added that nothing is yet official.

These reports bring flashbacks to the 2016 Hall of Fame Game. Due to concerns over the field, the game between the Packers and Indianapolis Colts was canceled.

Only two weeks away from the start of the regular season, the risk of injury isn’t worth playing tonight’s game if there are concerns over the field.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that the Packers are considering resting their starters as a result, and he too noted the possibility of using an 80-yard field. That would be a smart move by head coach Matt LaFleur.

But if LaFleur is concerned enough to not play the starters, then the game shouldn’t take place at all. The field is either fine to be played on by everyone, or there’s an injury risk. And if that’s the case, the game shouldn’t be played.

With less than an hour to go, we’ll soon find out what they plan on doing. But the likelihood of Aaron Rodgers playing would have to be low at this point.