Packers: Michael Thomas out, Davante Adams doubtful for Week 3

The Packers and Saints will be without their star wide receivers in Week 3.

Two of the best offenses in the NFL will be without their star wide receivers when the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints meet on Sunday Night Football.

The Saints have already ruled out All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, who will miss his second game in a row due to an ankle injury. The Packers will almost certainly be without Pro Bowler Davante Adams, who is listed as doubtful on the injury report as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Clearly, this will have a huge impact on the game.

Thomas and Adams are two of the best receivers in the league. Thomas is a reception-machine and just last season set the all-time record for most catches in a single-season. The Drew Brees-to-Michael Thomas connection has proven to be one of the toughest for defenses to stop.

Similarly, Adams has the best release in the league and is often wide open. He is Aaron Rodgers’ top target and possibly the best receiver he’s ever had to throw to.

Both teams will likely give plenty of work to their star running backs, Aaron Jones and Alvin Kamara. They are both explosive running backs who can pick up yards between the tackles and also line up outside and make plays in the receiving game. This game could become a battle between Jones and Kamara.

The Packers will also need Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to step up, while the Saints could lean more heavily on former Packers tight end Jared Cook as well as a free-agent addition Emmanuel Sanders.

Even without Adams and Thomas, we’re set for an interesting game between two teams with Super Bowl ambitions this season. The team that adapts best without their star receiver might be most likely to win the game.