Packers Sammy Watkins will return to practice in limited capacity
By Paul Bretl
Sammy Watkins will be back on the practice field on Wednesday in a limited capacity, according to Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Watkins has been on injured reserve the previous four games with a hamstring injury following a 93-yard performance against Chicago in Week 2. This is the first week that he is eligible to return to practice–although, as LaFleur said, this does not necessarily mean that he is going to play on Sunday, either.
Watkins’ eventual return will be a welcomed sight for a Packers offense that is currently thin at receiver, with Randall Cobb expected to miss time and Christian Watson’s status moving forward an unknown.
Watkins also gives Aaron Rodgers, and this sputtering Green Bay passing game, another reliable target who also has the ability to win downfield–which is an element that his offense is very much missing.
"“Certainly, when he does come back, he brings a lot to the table in terms of the experience of being out there,” said LaFleur on Wednesday. “He knows what to do. He plays the game really fast. There’s not a lot of hesitation in his game.”"
As part of Watkins’ 93-yard outing in Week 2, he had a 55-yard catch and run. Rodgers brought this play up recently when discussing the Packers’ inability to connect on downfield throws.
On that play, the route that Watkins ran wasn’t the play on paper, but he made an adjustment based on what the defense was doing, reiterating a point that Rodgers has brought up on a few occasions, which is that the playbook and what takes place on the field aren’t always identical.
It’s these “little details,” as Rodgers called them, that are playing a factor in the Packers’ issues with the deep ball. Watkins’ experience will hopefully help alleviate some of those problems because right now, defenses are shrinking the field by playing closer to the line of scrimmage–they just aren’t afraid of getting beat over the top.
In addition to what Watkins can add as a pass catcher in this offense, LaFleur is also looking forward to having his blocking ability back as well.
"“He’s extremely powerful, and he helps us not only in the passing game, which is obvious to everybody, but he’s one of the best blockers I’ve been around as well. When you couple him with guys like Allen (Lazard), that’s a pretty,formidable duo on the perimeter that you don’t always get from that position.”"
With Watkins back in the mix — whenever that may be — Allen Lazard should benefit as well with additional slot opportunities, where he has been a very efficient and effective receiver over his career, including four touchdowns already this season per PFF ($$).
The Green Bay Packers enter Week 7 at 3-3 with the feeling that these next three games, all of which occur on the road, will play a pivotal role in deterring how this 2022 season plays out. The sooner this struggling offense can get Watkins back, the better.