Getty Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers avoids a tackle by Holton Hill #24 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees could both be playing without their top wide receivers when the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints meet this weekend for Sunday Night Football.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday afternoon that star wideout Davante Adams is “probably” doubtful for Week 3’s game against the Saints with a hamstring injury that held him out of the entire week of practice. The injury knocked out Adams in the third quarter last week against the Detroit Lions and kept him sidelined for the remainder of the 42-21 victory.
“We’ll give him the rest of the week to see where he’s at, but ultimately we’ve got to see if he’s able to go,” LaFleur told reporters in a Zoom call on Friday. “I know he’s doing everything in his power to make that happen, but I’d say right now he’s probably doubtful.”
Adams tied a franchise record with 14 receptions in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings and recorded more than 100 receiving yards for the fifth time in his last six games, including both of last season’s playoff games. Without him, the Packers will have to rely more heavily on fellow starters Marquez Valdes Scantling and Allen Lazard in the passing game against the Saints.
Adams is currently listed as doubtful on the Packers’ injury report against the Saints.
The Saints have also been without their star receiver, Michael Thomas, with an ankle injury that has kept him off the field since the first week of the season. It had been estimated that he would miss Week 3’s prime-time game, but it was not official until the Saints ruled him out in Friday’s injury report.
Follow the Heavy on Packers Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!
Kenny Clark’s Status Improves in Week 3
The Packers left no mystery about Kenny Clark’s status heading into Week 2’s game, declaring the star nose tackle out with a groin injury at the start of last weekend, but the outlook is much brighter for him against the Saints in Week 3.
Clark was listed as questionable in the Packers’ injury report after practicing in a limited capacity on both Thursday and Friday, an encouraging sign that he could return to the field for the first time since the second half of their season opener. While Clark’s value to the defensive line is evident, his presence would be especially useful for a defensive line that will have to restrain Saints running back Alvin Kamara.
“He’s made progress, there’s no doubt,” LaFleur said. “He’s definitely not 100 percent yet, but, again, he’s another guy we’re going to give up until game time, and we’ll have to determine whether or not he can go.”
Will Packers Elevate Another WR?
The Packers have elevated two members of their practice squad to their game-day roster in each of their first two weeks, so there’s no reason to think they won’t work out the same maneuver against the Saints in Week 3. Could it be a wide receiver for the first time this season, though?
The Packers will have just three true wide receivers available if they stick with their personnel and are not able to have Adams available on Sunday night. Valdes-Scantling and Lazard have both looked capable of shouldering a bigger load for the offense, but the third option — Malik Taylor — is still a pretty large unknown.
Taylor has not yet been targetted with a pass and has only played 16 offensive snaps in two games, all but one of which came in Week 2 against the Lions. The Packers must have seen something in him during training camp, though, in order for them to keep him as one of five wideouts for their initial 53-man roster. Perhaps Taylor will finally get his chance to shine against the Saints.
Another option could be the Packers promoting one of their practice-squad receivers, choosing from a selection of Darrius Shepherd, Reggie Begelton and Robert Foster. Shepherd is the only one who has played in the regular season for the Packers, but Begelton’s standout career in the CFL gives him some high potential. Meanwhile, Foster — who was signed in early September — caught 27 passes for 541 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie for the Buffalo Bills in 2018.
READ NEXT: Packers Work Out Kicker Who Made College Team via Student Tryout