GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN — Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones had a perfect 3-for-3 practice week and could be ready to play against the New York Giants on Monday night. Jones has been out the last two games due to a sprained MCL. After injuring his knee against the Chargers and missing games against the Lions and Chiefs, Saturday’s practice was the final big test for Jones’ probable comeback. Will he participate? When Coach Matt LaFleur releases the final injury report after practice, he will most likely designate him as questionable.
“I would say just being able to put that foot in the ground and then get up to full speed,” Jones said after Friday’s practice when asked when he’d know he’d be ready to play. “The
only thing you don’t know is when you take a hit; you don’t know until it happens.” But I think it’s more noticeable when you’re racing around, because you have complete range of motion and can cut and plant your foot in the ground whenever you want.”
If Saturday’s practice goes as planned, it will be up to Jones, the coaches, and the training staff to decide whether Jones will play on Monday night or wait a week and face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field next Sunday. While the Packers have won their last three games, the return of Jones as a runner, receiver, and leader would provide a boost.
“His dynamic playmaking ability, not only in the run game but also in the pass game,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “But we’re fortunate to have AJ (Dillon).” He’s done an excellent job as our workhorse during the final half of the season. He’s not as glamorous as Aaron Jones, but he’s a person you can always count on to deliver, and he’s done a terrific job with that.” As is customary for the week’s final practice, reporters were only allowed to watch the pre-practice stretch inside the Don Hutson Center. Only linebacker Quay Walker (shoulder) and receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) did not go outside for the start of practice.
Watson did not practice this week due to a hamstring injury acquired late in the Chiefs’ victory. The concern is not so much if he will play against the Giants as it is how many games he will miss due to his latest hamstring injury.
Walker was absent from all three practices this week. If Walker, who had 13 tackles against the Chiefs, is unable to play, Isaiah McDuffie will make his seventh start. Left guard Elgton Jenkins did not practice on Friday due to a painful shoulder, but LaFleur claimed the team was being careful. On Saturday, he went out for the start of practice.
Jaire Alexander practiced all week for the second week in a row, though it’s worth noting that he hasn’t missed
practice since the Wednesday before the Week 11 game against the Chargers. Will he return this week after missing the previous four games due to a shoulder injury? That is all up to Alexander. “Especially when you’re talking about elite corners, it’s a tough one to battle,” he went on to say.
The Giants will be missing three key offensive players. One is quarterback Daniel Jones, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Tight end Darren Waller is expecting to return next week after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. And right tackle Evan Neal, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft and a key piece of a struggling offensive line, will miss another game due to an ankle ailment. Neal has only played one game in the last two months. He’s been doing rehab, but he’s still not ready to go.
“To tell you the truth, it aches. “Do you understand what I’m saying?” he asked reporters in New York this week. “But this is football.” You have to play through discomfort sometimes, but I want to make sure that when I do return to the field, I’m ready. I’ll absolutely have bullets in my gun to shoot with because no one wants to go into a war with no bullets in their gun, and that’s exactly where I’m at.”
After Saturday’s practice, when LaFleur releases the final injury report, this story will be updated. For the time being, here are the Friday reports.
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