Nelson at RB? Only in 'deep, deep trouble'

GREEN BAY - With a depleted running back depth chart, the Green Bay Packers' receivers have started taking turns in the backfield.

It used to be Randall Cobb was the only receiver who would get snaps in the Packers' backfield. Then second-year receiver Ty Montgomery played more than 40 snaps at running back against the Chicago Bears. When Montgomery was unable to play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, fellow receiver Davante Adams took several snaps in the backfield.

It’s the way Packers receivers are taught. Versatility is a priority. But there’s one receiver who definitely won’t get any backfield snaps, at least if it’s up to him.

“No,” receiver Jordy Nelson said, shaking his head Wednesday. “No.”

What would it take for Nelson to play running back? He laughed.

“We’re in deep, deep trouble,” he said. “We’re desperate for sure.”

Nelson said he has never played running back, but he hasn’t always been a receiver. He was a quarterback in youth league. To hear him describe it, Nelson was a darn good signal caller.

“I could throw it,” he said.

Nelson, joking, said the Packers could run a “double pass” if they’d like. Just don’t put him at running back. Even if fullback Aaron Ripkowski was there to protect him as a lead blocker.

“I’d be safer,” Nelson said, “but it’d still be bad. I don’t think 6-foot-3 is supposed to be running through the A and B gap.”

rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood