The Green Bay Packers could potentially have their receiving corps back at full strength in Week 2 for Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on September 14 that starting wide receiver Allen Lazard would be back on the field for that day’s practice after missing all of Week 1 — including their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings — because his ankle was “stepped on” about two weeks ago.
The Packers have been expecting Lazard to play a major role in their offense in 2022, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers going as far as to say he believes the 26-year-old is ready to step up as their No. 1 receiver now that Davante Adams is no longer around.
“Excited about the opportunity to work with him. He’s capable of a lot,” Rodgers told reporters on July 27. “Since his first day, he’s turned heads.”
Lazard had a career year in 2021, making 40 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns, and could be in line for a breakout in 2022 with a higher share of the targets likely to come his way.
Lazard’s Week 2 Status Still Unknown
The next step for Lazard will be getting cleared from the injury report in time for Week 2’s home opener against the Chicago Bears. The first version of the report was released on September 14 showing Lazard as a limited participant. The team isn’t required to put an official status designation on him until after they finish practice on September 16.
At the very least, Lazard’s return to practice gives Rodgers a chance of having back one of his most trusted weapons one week after the offense — including the four-time MVP — collapsed under a litany of what Rodgers called “mental mistakes.” The Packers scored their only points on an AJ Dillon touchdown run and were forced to rely upon their two rookies receivers, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, more than expected without Lazard available.
Lazard and Rodgers had spent time together off the field “building chemistry,” he said.
“I think it’s been huge — I think more so from [his and my] situation of just having off-the-field conversations, stuff that doesn’t deal with football,” Lazard told reporters on August 22. “And just kind of building chemistry and just getting to know each other from that standpoint, so when it does come to X’s and O’s, I understand how he’s attacking this, or what angle he’s trying to come at with this play or with this route. … So I think that rapport that you’re able to build in the lunchroom, in the hallways … [pays] dividends.”
Packers Offering No Hints on Bakhtiari’s Status vs. Bears
LaFleur said with certainty that Lazard would be back at practice when reporters asked him during his pre-practice press conference on Wednesday, but the fourth-year head coach was less committal about the status of their All-Pro left tackle.
“We’ll see when we get out there,” LaFleur said of David Bakhtiari when asked whether he would be participating in team reps at Wednesday’s practice.
Bakhtiari — who has spent the past 19 and a half months recovering from a knee injury — had been listed as questionable to play against the Vikings in Week 1 and seemed like he might have the chance to play his first full game since Week 16 of the 2020 season. The Packers kept him limited in practice throughout the week and ultimately felt he wasn’t ready to suit up just yet, ruling him inactive.
The Packers are being cautious with one of the biggest investments on their roster.
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Packers Give Update on Allen Lazard’s Injury for Bears Matchup