The Injury Report:

"Yes, Virginia there is a silver lining"

 

Jordy Nelson down and out

It was made official. Jordy Nelson will miss the entire season with a torn ACL suffered on the opening drive of the second pre-season game against the Steelers.

 

This will be the second time Nelson will have suffered a lost season although not quite as bad as this time. After having his breakout season in 2011 when he earned the starting job (played in all 16 games starting 9) he caught 68 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 TDs. Then in 2012 he suffered through lingering ankle and hamstring problems all season long finishing with 49 catches for 745 yards and 7 TDs.

 

Actually not only did Nelson have an off-year, but Greg Jennings was also hurt dropping from 67 catches for 945 yards and 9 TDs to a career low 36 catches for 366 yards and 4 TDs because of a groin injury he suffered before the season limiting him to only 8 games and 5 starts.

So with the top two receivers hobbled Randall Cobb and James Jones came into their own. Cobb exploded as the No. 1 receiver going from 25 catches, 375 yards and 1 TD to 80 catches, 954 yards and 8 TDs while Jones went from 38 catches, 635 yards and 7 TDs to 64 catches, 784 yards, and more importantly leading the league 14 TDs.

 

The one thing you can say about a Ted Thompson/Mike McCarthy led team is they are resilient. The next man up philosophy is alive and well and thriving in the little historic town of Green Bay, Wisconsin, so I think you find that happening again this year.

 

Davante Adams needs to step up

The next man up is Davante Adams. He has already earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers. You could see that last year in the playoffs when Adams caught more passes (8 to 7) than Nelson for more yards (124 to 93) and more TDs (1 to 0). He is now poised for his breakout year after having a solid rookie season (38-446-3TD).

 

Jeff Janis and his girlfriend

The key to the offense is now on the shoulders of Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery and Myles White to grab the No. 3 and 4 wide receiver spots. Janis is the leading receiver so far with 5 catches for 56 yards and 1 TD. Montgomery hasn't really worked himself into the rotation yet but he has 2 catches for 28 yards, so he will be the one to watch the next two weeks. White is in his second camp and has 3 catches for 22 yards and 0 TDs.

 

The other wide outs are rookies Larry Pinkard (2-43-0TD), Ed Williams (1-5-0TD), Jimmie Hunt and Javess Blue. Hunt has played in both games without a catch while Blue has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

 

The other key to replacing Nelson's production is the play of the tight ends, especially Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless. Rodgers has 4 catches (3 against the Steelers) for 48 yards and 1 TD and Quarless has 3 for 38 yards and 0TDs.

 

2015 sixth round draft pick Kennard Backman has been a pleasant surprise with 4 catches for 25 yards and 0 TDs (2 in each of the two pre-season games) while the other promising tight end Justin Perillo (2-23-0TD) suffered a concussion against the Patriots, so his future is in doubt. The other tight ends on the roster are two rookies Harold Spears (1-6-0TD) and Mitchell Henry.

 

In 2010 Thompson kept 5 tight ends on the final roster and 4 every year after that, but this year rookie sixth round draft pick fullback Aaron Ripkowski might cost the tight ends one of their spots. While he hasn't played much on offense to threaten John Kuhn his superlative play on special teams might make it hard to cut him because the special teams coverage units sorely needs somebody to play well.

 

The latest news had the Packers interested in 36 year old Reggie Wayne the former All-Pro from the Colts instead of Randy Moss, who seems to be actively campaigning for a comeback.

 

However, Wayne signed a one-year contract around noon on Monday before the day late and dollar short Packer front office had a chance to woo him.

 

James Jones not an option

With Wayne off the table there is now speculation that James Jones could be under consideration as a replacement. Of course that would take maneuvering since Jones is currently with the New York Giants. I still think there are enough players on the current Packers roster to fill the void without making a trade for Jones or waiting to see if he is waived sometime before the regular season.

 

The funny thing is Jones is the leading receiver for the Giants over their first two games. He has 7 catches for 93 yards (13.4 average) with no TDs.

 

Despite showing he still has something left in the tank I would doubt Thompson is interested. He made no effort to re-sign him when he was released by the Raiders. The same thing when Greg Jennings was released by the Vikings before signing with the Dolphins.

 

OBTW, in case you want to know Jennings had one catch for 19 yards in the first game against the Bears, but didn't have a catch against the Panthers.

 

To sum it up I think Thompson will end up taking someone who is currently on the roster.