It looks like the Green Bay Packers will be adding a couple more weapons this week to their offensive repertoire. At least according to what quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Packers told Charles Woodson and the rest of the ESPN Countdown crew after the Hall of Fame game between the Packers and Indianapolis Colts was cancelled due to poor field conditions.
Rodgers told Woodson and company that he expected both wide receiver Jordy Nelson and tight end Jared Cook back this week. Both players began training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
Nelson suffered an ACL tear in the 2015 preseason and missed all of last season. Plus, he suffered what he called a hiccup to his other knee recently which put him on the PUP list. Cook was recovering from minor foot surgery which was done in early June.
I was in Green Bay on Thursday and I saw Nelson riding a bike to practice, which to me was a positive sign. The comments by Rodgers on Sunday night proved my beliefs to be correct.
On Wednesday of last week, I was able to talk with NFL scout Chris Landry on 620 WDAE’s Steve Duemig Show about a few topics regarding the Packers.
Speaking of Landry, I am pleased to say that I’m a contributing writer to his fine site.
When I talked with Landry, I mentioned the situation with Nelson’s other knee, as well as the great training camp third-year wide receiver Jared Abbrederis was having and that he may have some fantasy football value.
“They are just being cautious with Jordy,” Landry said. “Talking with the coaches there, they don’t feel like it’s an issue, but like you said, you never know.
“I always think their receivers there are good with their fantasy value. Look, with Aaron Rodgers, they are going to catch a lot of balls. It’s just who is healthy.
“With Nelson and [Randall] Cobb. [Davante] Adams to me has to pick it up and be more consistent. But they have some weapons, there is no question about it. It’s going to be interesting to watch the tight ends too, with Richard Rodgers and see what Jared Cook can do for them.
“Plus there’s the weight of Eddie Lacy. So all those things will be intriguing to watch.”
Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis
Although Landry didn’t mention Abbrederis by name, No. 84 has been outstanding so far this summer.
Plus there is the always dangerous Jeff Janis, who needs to be more consistent in practice, but his size and speed make him a threat any time he runs downfield.
Just ask the Arizona Cardinals. Janis caught seven passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns versus the Cards in the 2015 NFC Divisional playoff game. There is one aspect of Janis’ game which is very consistent. It’s his ability on special teams to be an outstanding gunner.
Rookie wide receiver/kick returner Trevor Davis from Cal has also opened some eyes in camp.
Second-year receiver Ty Montgomery remains on the PUP list with an ankle injury and there is not a timetable for his return.
But it does look like Nelson and Cook will be returning and that will only add more firepower to the weaponry that Rodgers will have at his disposal as he drops back to pass.
If Lacy can return to the form of how he played in 2013 and 2014 in the running game, with some help from James Starks, the offense of the Packers can be special in 2016.
That being said, as Landry told me in an earlier story from a few weeks ago, the success of the offense will really be contingent on how well the offensive line plays.
Time will tell how that scenario will play out.
But with both Nelson and Cook possibly being back this week, the receiving part of the equation will get much better for the Packers.
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