GREEN BAY – The Packers are still working through their decisions on who’s playing or resting for Week 18 at Minnesota, and the team may not reveal a whole lot before Sunday’s kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Other than saying some starters will sit while others will play, Head Coach Matt LaFleur didn’t divulge much Wednesday about the team’s plans.
He did clarify QB Jordan Love has yet to officially clear concussion protocol, though he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. Meanwhile the addition of a fourth QB on the practice squad, Desmond Ridder, provides another backup option along with Clayton Tune if the Packers would prefer not to play either Love or Malik Willis (right shoulder, hamstring injuries) against the Vikings.
“Let’s just get through the week and see where we’re at,” LaFleur said. “Medical is going to drive some of these decisions for us.”
The Packers listed eight regular players in addition to the two QBs on the first injury report of the week. Receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) was the only player on the current 53-man roster who didn’t participate on at least a limited basis.
The Packers are currently riding a three-game losing streak, so that’s a consideration as well in terms of trying to get back on the right track heading into the playoffs. On top of that, if Love doesn’t play this week, he will have missed the last 2½ games before taking the field in a win-or-go-home scenario.
But LaFleur’s comments suggest that’s a secondary concern to the team’s health, which hasn’t been improving during the stretch run. Structuring some practice periods with the first units going head-to-head, rather than working exclusively against scout teams, could help some starters who aren’t going to play stay sharp.
“You weigh everything,” LaFleur said. “You try to come to the conclusion of what you perceive gets you the best opportunity to go out and play your best football when that time comes.”
However it shakes out, Sunday will likely provide an opportunity for a number of young players to get significant game action and show how they might be able to help the team in the playoffs.
Pass rushers like Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver and Warren Brinson could fall in that category, along with run stuffer Nazir Stackhouse, all rookies. Second-year pros like linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper and safety Kitan Oladapo are additional options, plus third-year edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr., who recently returned from a long injury layoff, and newly arrived Jonathan Ford on the defensive interior.
Offensively, rookie receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams could be among those taking on a larger workload than normal – though Williams remains on the injury report – and some reserve linemen could take snaps as well if Love and Willis aren’t playing.
“The tape is the tape, and everybody’s going to watch and evaluate your tape,” LaFleur said. “So you better put a good product out there, and that’s the expectation I have for whoever goes out and suits up and is playing.”
