Green Bay Packers: Jenkins, MVS & King Miss Practice
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers held their first practice of the week on Wednesday as they began their on-field preparation for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With that, the first injury report has been released, and the Green Bay Packers were without a few key players, including Elgton Jenkins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kevin King, and Krys Barnes, all of whom did not participate.
As we all know, Jenkins hurt his ankle during the Detroit game and would miss Sunday’s game in San Francisco. In his place at left tackle was Yosh Nijman, who filled in admirably, and would be expected to get the start again if Jenkins can’t go.
Valdes-Scantling is a new addition this week after hurting his hamstring against the 49ers. He underwent an MRI on Tuesday so the team could get a better idea of the severity of the injury.
Matt LaFleur told reporters that both Jenkins and Valdes-Scantling would have the week to prepare for Sunday’s matchup with the Steelers.
The Green Bay Packers don’t have anyone who can replace what Valdes-Scantling brings vertically, but they still have several other pass-catching options and a run game to lean on if he is unable to play.
King was a late scratch before the Niners game due to an illness, but upon the Packers return to Green Bay, he was placed in concussion protocol. Barnes was not at practice either after leaving Sunday’s game with a concussion as well.
With or without King, we would hopefully continue to see Eric Stokes in the CB2 role, but the depth of this already thin Green Bay Packers cornerback room does take a hit without him available.
And when it comes to Barnes, there is a steep drop-off in talent if the Packers have to rely heavily on Oren Burks and Ty Summers to fill in for him.
Aaron Jones with an ankle injury and Vernon Scott with a hamstring both participated in a limited capacity, while Josh Myers was listed on the injury report (finger) but was a full participant.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, there are several big names on their initial report. Ben Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster did not participate, while Alex Highsmith, TJ Watt, and Diontae Johnson were limited participants.