Besides quarterback Aaron Rodgers and left tackle David Bakhtiari, the one player the Green Bay Packers cannot afford time lose on offense is wide receiver Davante Adams.
Yet that is the exact scenario the Packers face as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with Adams dealing with a turf toe injury. . Heading into the season, much was made about Green Bay bypassing adding a veteran wide receiver after losing Randall Cobb to the Cowboys and leaving the team with Adams and a bunch of youngsters behind him. Every other receiver behind Adams was either taken after the 100th pick in the draft or an undrafted free agent.
Standing pat was a clear show of faith by the Packers in their young receivers and if Adams doesn’t play Sunday (as looks to be case right now), then that faith will he tested. Rodgers needs to trust his receivers and besides Adams, does he trust any of the others? The quarterback talked up Marquez Valdez-Scantling in the offseason and while he’s made some plays, he hasn’t shown he’s in for the breakout season many hoped he would have.
With Equanimeous St. Brown on injured reserve, former UW-Whitewater star Jake Kumerow should see a lot more playing time as well. Kumerow is another player Rodgers has spoken highly of but thanks to injuries, the quarterback and receiver and have not yet had a chance to develop their chemistry in game situations.
General manager Brian Gutekunst rolled the dice in letting Cobb leave and not signing a veteran player to replace him. There is a lot of talent and potential in the receiver room, just not much experience.
If Adams misses several games, it will be a baptism by fire and how the receivers handle the flames will go a long way to determine Gutekunst’s plan of attack for the position the rest of this season and into 2020.
Now onto today’s curds.
Confident corps of Packers receivers set to step in for Davante Adams—PackersNews.com
The group might be confident now but it will come down to showing it on the field as cliche as that sounds. Earning Rodgers’ trust is huge for any young receiver and the quarterback isn’t an easy man to please. If they can break out against the Cowboys, that could spell big things for the offense the rest of the season.
Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders makes sense as Packers trade target—Packers Wire
Should the youngsters struggle, Gutekunst has options to add some talent in season. Emmanuel Sanders of the Denver Broncos would be a very tempting target.
Aaron Rodgers praises toughness of his veteran teammates—Packers.com
The quarterback appreciates how tough the veterans are around him and he would rule out Adams for Sunday even though signs indicate he won’t play.
Elliott looks to bounce back against Packers—NFL.com
Meanwhile in Dallas, Ezekiel Elliott was stymied by an otherwise average New Orleans Saints defense last week and will look to take advantage of a struggling Green Bay run defense. If the Packers can’t stop Elliott from feasting, Rodgers had better be ready to win a shootout.
Florida man arrested after sword used in fight over wheelbarrow—Toronto Sun
In the further Adventures of Florida Man, anyone trying to take this man’s wheelbarrow had better be en garde.