Packers Targeting Week 15 Return For Aaron Rodgers
The Packers are targeting a Week 15 return for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Rodgers returned to practice yesterday, making his return to game action this season very realistic.
However, other than confirming that Green Bay wants Rodgers to suit up as soon as he is eligible, Schefter does not add any new details to yesterday’s report that the star QB is practicing again. Schefter says that Rodgers’ Week 15 return is, of course, contingent upon his being medically cleared — and we learned yesterday that he would not be scanned until after the Packers’ Week 14 game against the Browns — and that the Packers would need to still be in playoff contention for No. 12 to see the field again in 2017.
Green Bay currently sits at 5-6 and is two games behind the Falcons for the second wild-card spot. But the Packers do have two eminently winnable games in Week 13 (home against the Buccaneers) and Week 14 (at Cleveland). If they can get to 7-6, Rodgers could be back to lead a playoff push in a difficult final stretch of the schedule, which includes matchups against the Panthers, Vikings, and Lions.
With Rodgers’ backup, Brett Hundley, under center, the Packers have stumbled to a 1-4 mark. Though Hundley has turned in a couple of strong performances, he has also struggled mightily at times, and the team clearly needs Rodgers to get to the postseason.
Aaron Rodgers Returns To Practice
The Aaron Rodgers waiting game progressed to another checkpoint on Saturday after the Packers’ franchise quarterback returned to practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
He’s officially been designated as a player who will return off IR, but hurdles remain toward the All-Pro passer suiting up in another game this season.
Rodgers has not been cleared medically and, per Rapoport, won’t be scanned until after the Packers’ Week 14 game against the Browns. He did not practice with the first team, per Rapoport (on Twitter). As Rapoport notes, the Packers designating him as their second IR-return player doesn’t mean he will come back. It means he’s progressed without any setbacks. He could return as early as Week 15 and now can’t return any later than Week 16.
A Rodgers return will depend on Green Bay’s standing in the NFC playoff race. The Packers will almost certainly have to beat both the Buccaneers and Browns at home to make it a Rodgers re-emergence practical. Mike McCarthy said the possibility of getting their quarterback back “definitely” can inspire his currently undermanned team, so it appears — barring a setback or Rodgers’ impending medical reports showing troublesome signs — the longtime coach is on board with this plan.
The Packers are 5-6 and currently two games behind the Falcons for the second wild-card spot, so their performance — along with the 7-4 Seahawks’ — could well have bearing on the Packers’ decision. But if Green Bay can get to 7-6 with Brett Hundley, a Rodgers return is starting to appear very possible.
Latest On Aaron Rodgers
The Packers have expectedly taken a major step back since their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers injured his collarbone in the team’s game against the Vikings over a month ago. Now at 5-6, Green Bay will likely see their signal caller back for practice for the first time since the injury, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com in a video posted on Twitter.
Rapoport states that the practice would serve as a “trial return” for Rodgers, who hasn’t seen live action in over a month. The reporter also cautions that the bone heals a little differently for everybody, so it’s tough to put a timetable on his potential return.
Packers QB coach Alex Van Pelt said after practice today that, “He’s (Rodgers) doing well. He’s probably ahead of the curve a little bit. But there’s nothing to talk about until there’s something to talk about,” (Courtesy of Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Twitter).
The news should still be a major positive for the Packers and their fans considering that he’s even got a chance to return this season. The team will have to string together a few wins in order for Rodgers to feel the need to get back out there, but these are positive steps for a guy that is celebrating his 34th birthday tomorrow. Rodgers is eligible to return to game action starting in Week 15.
Prior to the injury, Rodgers showed no signs of slowing down, throwing 13 touchdown passes to 3 interceptions in six games. The veteran quarterback also posted a 103.2 passer rating during that time. The Packers have won just a single game since the team started 4-1, which shows just how crucial Rodgers has been to the Packers recent playoff runs.
Packers Place Ty Montgomery On IR
Ty Montgomery‘s season is over. The running back has been placed on injured reserve due to rib and wrist injuries. To take his place on the roster, wide receiver Michael Clark has been promoted from the practice squad. 
Montgomery missed time due to a rib ailment earlier this year. This time around, he needs more time to recover.
Montgomery’s season ends after just eight games played. He had 71 carries on the year for 273 yards (good for an average of 3.8 yards per carry) with three rushing touchdowns. The converted wide receiver also added 23 catches for 173 yards and one receiving TD. It wasn’t quite as impressive as Montgomery’s 2016 season in which he averaged 5.9 yards per rushing attempt with 44 catches for 348 receiving yards.
With Montgomery and fellow running back Aaron Jones sidelined, the Packers will be leaning on rookies Jamaal Williams and Devante Mays. It would also make sense for the Packers to look into acquiring another tailback.
The Packers are 5-6 after dropping their last two games. They’re not out of the playoff chase yet, but they’ll need to beat the Bucs on Sunday to keep hope alive.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/17
Here are today’s practice squad moves.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Gabe Holmes
- Signed: S Harlan Miller
- Signed: G/T Vinston Painter
- Cut: QB Mike Bercovici
- Cut: T Storm Norton
- Placed on practice squad IR: TE Anthony Denham
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Raysean Pringle
NFL Workout Updates: 11/30/17
Here are the latest workout and visit updates, courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer unless otherwise noted.
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Green Bay Packers
- TE Devon Cajuste (visit), LB Ahmad Thomas (visit)
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Anthony Firkser, Henry Krieger-Coble (link)
Miami Dolphins
- RB Russell Hansbrough, RB Kalif Phillips, RB Brandon Radcliff (link)
New Orleans Saints
- TE Alex Ellis, TE Darion Griswold, TE Henry Krieger-Coble, TE Robert Tonyan (link)
Oakland Raiders
- WR Seantavius Jones, WR Francis Owusu, WR Tevaun Smith (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- T Reid Fragel, CB Senquez Golson, K Garrett Hartley, CB Michael Hunter (visit), CB Keith Lewis, LB Boseko Lokombo, LB John Lotulelei, CB J.R. Nelson, TE Luke Papilion, RB Jhurell Pressley, RB Khiry Robinson, CB Channing Stribling RB Jahad Thomas, WR Javon Williams, TE Travis Wilson, CB Lou Young (Twitter links via Balzer)
Packers Attempting To Recoup Martellus Bennett Signing Bonus
Less than a month after cutting Martellus Bennett, the Packers are attempting to recover some of the signing bonus they paid the then-coveted tight end in free agency.
The Packers filed paperwork to reclaim $4.2MM of Bennett’s $6.3MM signing bonus on Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. They waived Bennett with a “Failure to Disclose a Physical Condition” designation, leading to this decision — one that was in the works. Bennett’s bonus was to be spread over the life of his three-year, $21MM deal, creating the $4.2MM figure now in dispute.
Bennett alleged the Packers were well aware of his shoulder problem, reportedly a torn rotator cuff, dating back to when he signed. He said it worsened while in Green Bay and criticized a team doctor for convincing him to put off a surgery he reportedly was told by independent physicians he needed. Other Packers, present and past, came to Dr. Pat McKenzie’s defense, and Clay Matthews — per Demovsky — said he and his teammates “got a good laugh” when Bennett suited up for the Patriots during his first game back with them after sitting out that previous Monday with the Packers because of the shoulder malady.
The 30-year-old tight end is now on IR after suffering a hamstring injury, and he will undergo shoulder surgery. Bennett passed a Patriots physical, and the league office didn’t have any issues with how the pass-catcher’s team change went down.
The NFLPA is aware of this situation, Demovsky reports, adding an arbitrator is expected to review this matter before next season because of salary cap purposes.
The Packers could have gone after Bennett’s entire bonus, but Demovsky notes him playing in seven games with Green Bay makes only seeking the remaining $4.2MM a stronger case. With Bennett’s bonus on their books, the Packers are projected to have more than $43MM in cap space in 2018. Bennett said earlier this season he was considering retirement at its conclusion.
Packers Notes: Rodgers, Kendricks
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has recovered faster than expected, according to teammate and amateur doctor Clay Matthews.
- Packers tight end Lance Kendricks says he was not cited for having marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his car during a traffic stop this fall, despite a report claiming that he was. Instead, Kendricks says he was actually given a warning for a speeding ticket (via Paul Srubas and Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press Gazette). Kendricks was also told by the NFLPA that he will not face suspension for the incident since there was no arrest or citation.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Darius Victor
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Darnell Sankey
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Aaron Green
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Michael Hunter
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Jeremiah Valoaga
- Waived: LB Thurston Armbrister
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Ahmad Thomas
Houston Texans
- Signed: QB Taylor Heinicke, TE Ryan Malleck, WR DeAndrew White
Aaron Rodgers Could Return To Practice This Week
Despite the Packers falling behind in the NFC playoff picture, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was seen throwing the ball around prior to the start of the team’s Sunday night game in Pittsburgh. Now with Rodgers clearly progressing well, the soon-to-be 34-year-old may be ready to return to practice at the end of next week, reports Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Demovsky passed along that head coach Mike McCarthy dodged a question about if he expected his starting QB to return this season. The earliest date Rodgers could be activated off the injured reserve would be in Week 15.
- On the field, Stroud also reports that QB Jameis Winston could begin throwing again at practice this week, and could get enough work to start vs. the Packers this weekend. This would be a positive development for the third-year signal caller as he’s missed the team’s last three games with a shoulder injury. While the news is positive, Winston is also dealing with an NFL investigation off the field regarding a sexual assault allegation that stems from when Winston rode in an Uber last year.