The Green Bay Packers have yet to have their full complement of skill position players around Jordan Love this season. But, that could change come Thursday Night when the Packers are set to host the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Packers could have wide receiver Christian Watson and running back Aaron Jones in the lineup for the game. Both are expected to play, but the team will be cautious about their workload.
Given how long each of them has been sidelined, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Green Bay still has pass rusher Rashan Gary on a snap count after tearing his ACL in Week 9 last season and getting activated off the PUP List in the middle of training camp.
Watson has yet to play this season as he has been dealing with a hamstring injury. He reportedly suffered the injury in the final practice before the league-mandated rest period between training camp and the regular season.
The Packers’ passing offense has been lacking a downfield presence thus far this season and there is hope that Watson will provide that. Even in a limited capacity, he still has the ability to make some big plays.
Jones has played this season, but we haven’t seen him on the field since Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. He was off to an excellent start, getting 11 touches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
But, on his 35-yard catch-and-run touchdown, he came up grabbing at his hamstring near the end. While it didn’t seem to be too serious at the time, as Jones was smiling and gesturing toward the camera when getting stretched out on the sidelines, he ended up missing two weeks of action.
Getting him back in the lineup will hopefully help get the running game on track. AJ Dillon has not produced in his place, receiving 26 carries for 88 yards with one reception for eight yards. He is averaging 2.7 yards per carry on the season, thus far disappointing in a contract year.
