Packers receiver Davante Adams off COVID list and back at practice, but status for Chiefs game uncertain

Packers News

GREEN BAY - Davante Adams has been cleared for a return to the field after missing more than a week because of COVID-19.

The Green Bay Packers have not yet activated their All-Pro wide receiver from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but Adams was at practice Thursday for the first time since testing positive for the virus Oct. 25. Adams stretched without his helmet and did not practice, but coach Matt LaFleur is hopeful Adams can play Sunday at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Packers receiver Davante Adams has returned to practice but still may not play Sunday.

"There's a protocol," LaFleur said, "that he's got to work through. Provided he's able to do that, then he'll play."

Adams missed last week's game at Arizona after testing positive for COVID-19. He was on a torrid pace this season before his absence, catching 52 passes for 744 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

With nine regular-season games left, Adams would still be on pace to shatter the Packers' single-season receiving yards record with 1,7000, surpassing Jordy Nelson's 1,519 from 2014. He'd also be on pace for 118 receptions, narrowly eclipsing his own franchise record of 115 last season.

Preston Smith savoring his streak

Preston Smith readily admits he “almost shed tears” when he realized his streak of 102 straight NFL games was coming to an end.

“I really almost cried,” Smith said.

The Packers outside linebacker was forced to miss the Week 7 win against the Washington Football Team with an oblique strain. He suffered the injury in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears, limiting him to eight total snaps.

“I had some talks with some guys like (offensive lineman) David (Bakhtiari),” Smith said. “We're just talking about it, just talking about like missing a game with an injury and, like having the streak I had and not being able to play and being sidelined. He just gave me some great words of encouragement.

“It was a tough decision to be made, but it had to be made in regards of what’s best for the team and what’s best for me.”

After the Bears game and with a short week to prepare for the Arizona Cardinals, Smith pushed himself to be ready for a return. He did so with the same mentality that helped him reach the century mark just weeks prior.

“Being here and being available each and every week, that’s just something I took pride in, making sure I did whatever it takes to get back to be on the field each and every week and do whatever it takes to make sure I'm healthy enough to go out there and produce at a high level and help my team out the best way as possible.”

Smith wasn’t aware of his streak until he was on the way to the stadium for the Pittsburgh Steelers game in Week 4, and his wife sent him a text to let him know. Now that he knows how long it takes to notch the accomplishment—“six years and four games” he laughed—it’s time to start anew. After playing against the Cardinals, Smith will be back on the field again this weekend to face the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I'm trying to revamp the streak, and get it back to beat the first streak," Smith said.

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