Packers get encouraging news on Davante Adams, Jamaal Williams
GREEN BAY - It appears Davante Adams and the Green Bay Packers may have avoided a serious issue with Adams’ toe injury Thursday night. The Pro Bowl receiver said late Thursday he would receive further testing on his digit Friday, and NFL Network reported an MRI did not reveal a need for surgery.
“As far as long term, it’s tough to say right now,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “But, you know, it’s going to be an opportunity, whether he’s able to go or not. It’s going to provide some other guys some opportunities and they’re going to have to step up, and next man up.”
The two-time Pro Bowler caught 10 passes for a career-high 180 yards against the Eagles before being injured on his final catch, a 13-yard reception in the fourth quarter that preceded the Packers going 0-for-4 from the 1-yard line.
After his last catch Adams reached down and grabbed the top of his right cleat. He said after the game his foot got caught in the turf and folded over on itself.
“It sucks,” he said Thursday. “You feel like in situations like that you let the team down. Obviously I would’ve been out there if I could, but I’m in a little bit of pain and it was tough. With a toe injury and the type of player I am, what my game is based on is explosion and things like that, so if I can’t get out there and really do my thing how I want and I’m in a lot of pain, I’m sure my teammates understand that. But it’s tough, because I feel like those are the type of moments that I’m built for and I’ve been able to capitalize in bringing home a win or help bring home a win for my team in the past, so it sucks.”
As for the game in Dallas on Oct. 6, LaFleur said the formation of the game plan and how much it can include Adams will be looked at in depth Monday.
“Yeah, you definitely have to factor it in,” he said. “I think we’ll have a better indication where we stand once we get through the weekend.”
Jamaal Williams released from hospital
On Thursday night, Packers running back Jamaal Williams left the field on a cart with support for his head and neck after a hit to the head by Eagles linebacker Derek Barnett on the Packers’ first play from scrimmage. He spent the night in Bellin Hospital and head coach Matt LaFleur said he was released Friday morning.
He posted the following message on his Instagram account:
“Appreciate it everyone for checking on me, I’m Gucci. Only thing hurting right now is my pride for not being able to finish the game with my team. It’s all gonna be good….LONG SZN.”
Teammates visited him in the hospital after the game, including Aaron Jones.
“He was Jamaal; he was himself, making jokes," Jones said. "The nurse was like, ‘Let me listen to your stomach.’ And he was like, ‘For what? So you can hear how empty it is?' So yeah, he’s perfectly fine. That’s Jamaal.”
Williams was held up on the play by Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham, and Barnett came in late and hit Williams on the side of the head with his helmet.
He gave the stadium a thumbs up as he was carted to the locker room and the Packers quickly announced that he did have feeling and movement in all of his extremities.
Barnett was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play but was not ejected. He was the first player to greet Williams once medical personnel began to move him off the field.
Dexter Williams ready if needed
The last time Dexter Williams played in a game was the preseason finale against Kansas City on Aug. 29. He’s one of only three active running backs on the Packers’ 53-man roster, but he has been inactive each of the first four games.
With Jamaal Williams’ immediate status in doubt after a scary head and neck injury Thursday night, it’s probable that the rookie out of Notre Dame will be active for the game in Dallas.
“My prep level has always been up there because you never know, just like what happened to Jamaal could happen to anybody, whether it’s a guy going down on special teams or a guy going down in the running back room, you always have to be ready,” Dexter Williams said. “You always have to prepare like you’re the starter, so there’s certain things where I always try to prepare myself so when that times comes I have to be ready and be ready to shine when my name is called.”
In four exhibition games, Williams rushed 37 times for 128 yards (3.5) and one touchdown. He caught five passes for 57 yards. He also said he feels he is dialed in on his special teams responsibilities through practice the last four weeks.
“Sometimes it’s one of those deals where it’s not only a matter of if he’s ready, but he has to be ready,” running backs coach Ben Sirmans said. “So if he’s not ready, then we’ve got to get him ready. I think he’s been doing a great job just doing the practices. He’s really doing a nice job in the classroom. The only thing you don’t have, now that you don’t have a preseason anymore to put him out there to test the waters, now it’s real live football. That’s the only thing that’s missing, to see if everything he’s done so far to get himself ready – which has been great – and understanding and doing the right things, there’s no more preseason where you can test the waters. Now you just gotta throw him out there live.”
Coaches impressed with Light
Backup tackle Alex Light played 63% of the Packers’ offensive snaps Thursday night after starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga injured a shoulder in the first half. LaFleur acknowledged there were some pressures the second-year player out of Richmond allowed, but Aaron Rodgers was able to ease such issues with his mobility
Offensive line coach Adam Stenavich said that in training camp Light continued improving in reps against the Packers’ top pass rushes, and he also felt the former undrafted lineman acquitted himself well against the Eagles.
“When he went out there (Thursday) night, just how he responded and how he performed, it was good for our depth,” Stenavich said. “And it was good for my sake, as well, just knowing we can rely on him in a situation like that.”