Packers-Giants Final Injury Report: Watson Out; Jones Among 4 Questionable
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones was limited participation on Saturday for the third consecutive day and might be on the cusp of returning to the lineup for Monday night’s game at the New York Giants. Jones was questionable on coach Matt LaFleur’s final injury report of the week, as were cornerback Jaire Alexander, safety Darnell Savage and cornerback Eric Stokes. Receiver Christian Watson is out and linebacker Quay Walker is doubtful. Assuming Saturday’s practice went off without a hitch, it will be up to Jones, the coaches and training staff to decide whether he will play on Monday or wait a week and face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday at Lambeau Field.
“I would say just being able to put that foot in the ground and then get up to full speed,” Jones said after Friday’s practice of when he’d know he’d be ready for game action. “The only thing you don’t know is the hit – when you’re taking a hit, you don’t know until that happens. But I feel like it’s more so when you’re running around, you have your full range of motion, you’re able to cut, put your foot in the ground the way you want to.” Jones missed the last two games with a sprained MCL. After suffering a knee injury during the victory over the Chargers and sitting out wins against the Lions and Chiefs, Saturday’s practice was the last big test for Jones’ potential return. While the Packers have won those three games, his return would provide a lift as a runner, receiver and leader.
His dynamic playmaking ability of obviously running the ball but in the pass game, as well,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “But we’re lucky that we have AJ (Dillon). He’s done a really good job this last half of the season, just being our workhorse. He might not be flashy like Aaron Jones but he’s a guy you can just count on to come through and he’s done a good job with all that.” As is typical for the final practice of the week, reporters only got to see the pre-practice stretch inside the Don Hutson Center. Walker (shoulder) and Watson (hamstring) were
the only players who did not go outside for the start of practice. Dealing with a hamstring injury sustained late in the victory over the Chiefs, Watson didn’t practice this week. The question isn’t so much whether he’ll play against the Giants as it is how many games he’ll miss with his latest hamstring issue.
