Packers: Allen Lazard doesn’t expect to play vs. Bills in Week 8
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard isn’t expecting to be available for the Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
The Green Bay Packers‘ difficult challenge of beating the Buffalo Bills may now be even tougher.
Allen Lazard is dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of practice this week.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Lazard said that he doesn’t expect to play in Sunday night’s showdown with the Bills.
Packers likely without Allen Lazard in Week 8
#Packers WR Allen Lazard says he heard a “snap, crackle, pop” in his shoulder when he was tackled in the third quarter Sunday. He is not concerned long term, but Lazard does not expect to play in Buffalo. “Probably not,” he says.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) October 27, 2022
Lazard leads Green Bay in receptions (26), receiving yards (340), and receiving touchdowns (four) this season. He is Aaron Rodgers’ number one target, and is also an important blocker for the Packers.
If Lazard is out on Sunday, he will be missed.
Green Bay is dealing with injuries at wide receiver. Along with Lazard potentially missing this game, the team is also without Randall Cobb, who is on injured reserve due to an ankle injury.
Rookie Christian Watson has missed the past couple of games, and it’s unclear whether he will be able to return in Week 8.
Going without Lazard would make life even more challenging for the Packers’ struggling offense, especially up against the league’s No. 1 defense.
Lazard has missed one game this season — Green Bay put up just seven points in an embarrassing defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
But if Lazard is out, the Packers will need to adjust. Green Bay will need a plan, whether that means becoming a run-heavy offense, leaning on Sammy Watkins and Romeo Doubs more often, or finding creative ways to spread the ball around.
Lazard hasn’t been officially ruled out, but his comments on Thursday and the fact he hasn’t practiced this week point to him not playing.
We’ll find out when the Packers release their final Week 8 injury report on Friday.