The Packers could be near full strength on Sunday as they face the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, as wide receivers Jordy Nelson (ribs), Davante Adams (ankle), and Geronimo Allison (hamstring), as well as safety Morgan Burnett (thigh), are expected to be available to play, according to Tim Silverstein and Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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Green Bay will need all its weapons in order to compete with a high-powered Atlanta offense in a playoff contest where the over/under is north of 60 points. With Nelson sidelined last week against the Cowboys, the Packers were able to lean on tight end Jared Cook — and the magic of Aaron Rodgers — as they won their eighth straight game. Adams and Allison were both available for that game, however, and attempting to defeat the Falcons without three of their top four receivers would have been difficult.
The Packers did make a move to improve their wide receiver depth, promoting pass-catcher Max McCaffrey from the practice squad to the active roster earlier today. Other receivers on Green Bay’s depth chart include Randall Cobb, Jeff Janis, and Trevor Davis, all of whom could be asked to take on a larger than average role if Nelson, Adams, or Allison aren’t at full speed on Sunday.
Burnett’s presence is also important as the Packers try to slow down Atlanta’s No. 1-ranked DVOA offense. In 15 games this season, Burnett has racked up two interceptions and nine passes defensed while ranking as the league’s No. 14 safety, per Pro Football Focus.
Huge for the Packers. All the sudden that -6 odds shrinks by quite a bit.
link to covers.com it’s be 5.5 for a week they will be available to play much different than they will play. Jordy gets one hit on his ribs and it could me a punctured lung.
You don’t think they talked to the trainers/medical staff about the risks? If there was that major of a risk they would’ve ruled him out. If there’s a chance he plays at 80% even that’s a huge win since you have to respect his and Rodgers chemistry. Even with that the fact that Burnett, Adams and Allison all playing makes a huge difference as well.
Thanks Dr.
It’s actually called common sense. Doesn’t take being a doctor to realize that an NFL team wouldn’t put a players life in jeopardy.
Scary God Bless the will to win . But that movie concussion is for real.
Let the Cinderella season continue! It’s going to be the turnovers that will decide the game.
I have a feeling Jordy will mostly be a decoy till The Falcons forget about him then boom Touchdown
Highly doubtful the packers will beat the falcons no matter who’s playing WR. Their defense has shortcomings and is below average. They’ll score points but the falcons offense is just to explosive for their defense to handle
If I’m the Falcons DC I’m telling them hit and tackle hard. They have to be sharks, Green Bay’s WRs are all banged up they’re bleeding take advantage of that. If you can LEGALLY take out a WR or 2 it’s a blow out. Green Bay can’t run the ball at all, so if you stop the pass you stop the offense. If the secondary in particular doesn’t come out aggressive I’d be dissapointed. I’m predicting a 34-20 Falcons win
I can’t believe that Nelson will b a factor at all. One hit in the ribs he will b done.Just him running has to hurt.It doesn’t matter I love the Falcons and the Under.
It’s what teams do the injured player can’t do much but the teams act like they can, its really just a smoke screen