Randall Cobb Back at Practice for the Green Bay Packers

During what was turning into Randall Cobb’s most productive game of the season against the Los Angeles Rams, where he had four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown for the Green Bay Packers, Cobb left early with what was called a groin injury at that time.

However, we would later learn that Cobb had suffered a core muscle injury and that he would undergo surgery during the Green Bay Packers bye week.

"“Cobby’s going to out for a while; he had a pretty significant injury,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said following the injury via ESPN. “That’s unfortunate because I thought he has done such an amazing job when given the opportunity. We were talking about just his targets on third down alone.”"

The hope was that Cobb would be able to return for a playoff run, and it looks like he is on track to do just that. During Thursday’s practice, to the surprise of many, Cobb was spotted on the field doing drills, and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reported that Green Bay has designated Cobb to return from IR.

Now, that doesn’t mean that Cobb is going to play Sunday. Just like with Jaire Alexander, the Green Bay Packers have a three-week window to activate Cobb and to add him to the 53-man roster. If that window expires without a move made, he will then be placed on season-ending IR instead.

Cobb’s numbers this season aren’t eye-popping by any means, but prior to his injury, he did rank third on the Packers in receptions with 28, and he totaled 375 yards with five touchdowns, according to PFF ($$).

However, where Cobb really made his impact was in high-leverage situations, such as third downs and in the red zone–where the trust and continuity that he and Aaron Rodgers have is on full display.

Of Cobb’s 38 targets this season, 19 have come on third downs, with Cobb tallying 12 receptions, 10 of which have moved the chains, along with 16.9 yards per catch and two touchdowns. In the red zone, Cobb has just four receptions but all four have gone for touchdowns.

"“You’ve been around each other for so long, and you understand, he understands how I move, so whenever I’m getting ready to break on my route, he knows. It’s muscle memory,” Cobb said following the Pittsburgh game via SI. “It’s been a couple of years, but it’s kind of like when you get back around your friends, and you remember things that you hadn’t even thought about in so long. It’s kind of that connection that we have. When you see it so many times, it doesn’t matter how long of a gap it is between.”"

Looking ahead, we will have to play the waiting game as Cobb is still working his way back from surgery, but this is undoubtedly a good sign as Rodgers could have one of his most trusted pass-catchers back in the mix for a playoff run.