Marquez Valdes-Scantling Placed on Packers Reserve/COVID List

As more and more players around the NFL test positive for COVID-19, the Green Bay Packers had to add Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the reserve/COVID list. On Tuesday, the team announced the move.

Under the league’s new health and safety protocols, there is the possibility for Valdes-Scantling to be back on the field for Saturday’s game if he’s able to test negative. But there is also the very real likelihood that Green Bay will be without one of their difference-makers on offense.

MVS is coming off his best game of the season for the Packers against Baltimore where he had a team-high five receptions, 98 yards, and a touchdown.

With Valdes-Scantling’s 4.37 speed, his big-play ability is what draws attention, and rightfully so. He led the NFL in yards per catch last season with 20.9 and he certainly draws quite a bit of attention from opposing defenses, which helps create opportunities for his teammates.

It’s not a coincidence that since his return from IR with a hamstring injury that we’ve seen the Packers’ ability to connect on the deep ball increase. At one point during MVS’ absence, Green Bay ranked 13th in explosive pass play rate, according to Sharp Football. But now they rank ninth in that catgegory with Valdes-Scantling tallying 17 receptions and averaging nearly 20 yards per catch since the Seattle game.

"“83 has been hurt,” Rodgers said following the win in Chicago via Packers Wire. “That definitely is a big part of it. We haven’t had a ton of that stuff in the plan. Also, we’ve seen a lot of Cover-2. With 83 not playing, and them clouding Davante a bunch, we just haven’t had the same opportunities.”"

However, as we saw on Sunday, Valdes-Scantling has developed into much more than just a downfield threat—although that will always be a key part of his game.

With Davante Adams facing double-teams for much of the game, we saw MVS win on both downfield and intermediate routes as well as from the boundary and in the slot where he has been very effective in a small sample size this season, ranking 11th among all receivers in yards per route run with 3.53, per PFF ($$).

He also came up with receptions in key situations including in the red zone, on third down, and in the two-minute drill. We also have to mention his ability as a blocker, which is a prerequisite at receiver in this Matt LaFleur offense.

The Green Bay Packers have shown that they have the depth and talent to overcome missing key players, but if Valdes-Scantling cannot play on Saturday, they’ll be without much more than just their best deep threat—MVS is someone who can help take this offense to new heights.

"“The person is in a way different head space,” Rodgers said via SI prior to the season starting. “I think he is so settled mentally. Very clear, very present. There’s habits that go along with that, and I think they’re interchangeable – personal and professional. He’s become a true professional. There were times a couple of years ago where we didn’t know if we could count on him because he was inconsistent in his practice habits and his daily habits almost. But that’s not the Marquez that I know now.”"