Playing 17 games over 18 weeks to earn a January weekend off seems to be exactly what the doctor could order for the Green Bay Packers.
When they returned to the practice field today to start their preparations for the NFC Divisional Playoff round matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, the team doctor gave practice permission slips to everyone on the roster except for tackle David Bakhtiari. It wasn’t because of a medical setback however, instead, Head Coach Matt LaFleur called it another “load management” day. Barely a year removed from ACL surgery and less than two months from another arthroscopic procedure, the team is being very careful with the All Pro left tackle who played 27 snaps in his season debut against Detroit in the regular season finale.
On the initial injury report, only two other players were listed as limited. Jaire Alexander, still working back from his shoulder injury and wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling coming off a back injury that flared up in Detroit, When asked today if the team is convinced Alexander’s healed shoulder can withstand a hard hit, LaFleur joked, “we put him in pads and we have a lot a brick walls in the building.”
Four players were on the report as full participants. Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, De’Vondre Campbell and Billy Turner. Having Turner on the list is a bit of a surprise. He went down with a knee injury in Week 14 and this was the first time he’s been able to fully take part in practice. Rodgers said last week he believes his pinkie toe will be completely healed by Saturday night’s game. Jones and Campbell were both held out of the Detroit game with ankle and elbow injuries. Jones said after practice he has “fresh” legs for the playoffs.
Campbell meanwhile, had an emotional week after learning he was named to the Associated Press All Pro first team for the first time in his career. LaFleur informed the team at a meeting last week there were three first teamers, Davante Adams was a unanimous choice, Rodgers and a third. When he announced it was Campbell, a late-June free agent flyer signed by the Pack who wound up leading the team in tackles and providing an immeasurable inspirational lift, the veteran got emotional. LaFleur said that’s one of those moments why you become a coach.
