Well, here we go again.
We're back to Jordan Love being on the injury report and Matt LaFleur doing everything possible to dodge questions. LaFleur said earlier in the week that Love could've returned to the Green Bay Packers' game against the Chicago Bears in Week 18 if they needed him, but he offered no such reassurance on Wednesday.
"He was limited. Yeah in a limited basis," said LaFleur.
LaFleur has done this all season when Love has been on the injury report, presumably for a competitive advantage, and that extended to what happened on the practice field. According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers intentionally restricted what the media could see.
"Jordan Love (elbow) is taking part in warmups, but team is making sure media doesn't see whether he can throw by closing practice after team stretch. Usually get to see individual drills," Silverstein reports.
So, for now, we'll just have to lean on the injury report. Here's the first update for the NFC Wild Card Round:
Player | Position | Injury | Wed. |
|---|---|---|---|
Zayne Anderson | S | Concussion | DNP |
Javon Bullard | S | Ankle | LP |
Edgerrin Cooper | LB | Illness/Knee | LP |
Brenton Cox Jr. | DE | Foot | LP |
Andre Dillard | T | Concussion | LP |
Romeo Doubs | WR | Illness | FP |
Jordan Love | QB | Right Elbow | LP |
T.J. Slaton | DT | Ankle | DNP |
Quay Walker | LB | Ankle | LP |
Christian Watson | WR | Knee | DNP |
Evan Williams | S | Quadricep | LP |
Malik Willis | QB | Right Thumb | LP |
Note: DNP = Did Not Participate; LP = Limited Participation; FP = Full Participation
Packers getting healthier ahead of the playoff opener vs. Eagles
Love's status is the No. 1 concern this week (and Malik Willis, too, if the Packers need him), but they are getting healthier in time for the playoffs.
Brenton Cox, Quay Walker, and Evan Williams practiced on Wednesday, which is an encouraging sign that all three could return against the Philadelphia Eagles. Cox has emerged as one of the Packers' most productive pass-rushers since the Preston Smith trade, and they will need him against an excellent Eagles offense.
Walker made a slow start to the season but had made big improvements before his injury, while Williams is already one of the Packers' most important defensive players.
Only three players didn't practice: Zayne Anderson, T.J. Slaton, and Christian Watson. Anderson is still in the concussion protocol, and the Packers can't afford to lose Slaton in a matchup against a dominant rushing attack. Watson's season is over, and he will likely go to injured reserve in the days ahead.
It's too early in the week to make any big takeaways. The Packers are getting healthier, but they will need Love at 100 percent to have any shot at upsetting the Eagles on Sunday.