The Green Bay Packers enjoyed relatively good injury luck for the first half of the season, only for the ailments to pile up before their crucial loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 9. An ideally placed bye week should help bring some of the injury concerns to a halt.
Fortunately, the Packers have avoided too many long-term concerns. Jordan Love escaped a significant knee injury in the season opener and didn’t need to miss time with a groin issue.
Love looked below 100 percent in the loss to the Lions, and in hindsight, the Packers should’ve started Malik Willis to give their star quarterback additional time to get healthy.
Hopefully, the additional week of rest will allow Love to recover from the groin injury and return close to 100 percent. The Packers could have several other key players returning shortly after the bye week, either in time for the Week 11 game against the Chicago Bears or not too long after.
Projecting which Packers players will return from injury after bye week
MarShawn Lloyd
After overcoming hip and hamstring injuries over the summer, rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd suffered an ankle injury only six carries into his NFL debut. The Packers placed Lloyd on injured reserve, giving him additional time to get fully healthy after dealing with awful injury luck since arriving in Green Bay.
The rookie sat out for seven weeks, but his return is nearing.
“We’ve got MarShawn Lloyd coming off IR here pretty soon, hopefully. That could factor into that,” said Packers GM Brian Gutekunst when discussing who could fill the additional roster spot after trading Preston Smith.
It came a few weeks after head coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers’ rookie was “getting closer” to a return.
The Packers’ rushing attack is among the best in the league. Josh Jacobs is third in the NFL for rushing yards with 762, while the team ranks fifth in rushing yards per game. Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson have provided solid contributions to complement Jacobs.
Lloyd will add something different to the backfield. The Packers have plenty of power and the ability to fight for yards after contact, but Lloyd will bring game-changing speed and home-run ability to LaFleur’s offense. He can provide the perfect change-of-pace and make big plays against worn-down defenses.
Jaire Alexander
Jaire Alexander has missed three games this season, most recently due to a knee injury. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that the All-Pro cornerback avoided a significant injury, and Alexander received a questionable designation for Week 9, showing he had a chance to play despite not practicing.
Considering he had a shot to return for the Lions game, the additional time should help him get close to 100 percent. Alexander will have had three full weeks to recover by the time the Packers kick off at Soldier Field after their bye.
Green Bay needs him. Alexander is playing at an All-Pro level this season, defending seven passes and intercepting two (with one pick-six) in six games.
Evan Williams
It’s hard to believe how important fourth-round rookie Evan Williams is to the Packers’ defense. LaFleur called it a “chain reaction” when he left the win over the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a hamstring injury.
Williams is rarely out of position, and in only three starts, he made a game-winning pass breakup, one interception, and a forced fumble. While he didn’t practice or play in the Week 9 loss to Detroit, the rookie isn’t expected to miss much time. Cheesehead TV’s Aaron Nagler reported that Williams had a chance to play against the Lions and noted there are no long-term concerns.
Hopefully, three weeks of recovery will help the rookie return immediately after the bye.
Josh Myers
Josh Myers has a point to prove in a contract year and is quietly having a strong season. He has held up in pass protection, as PFF credits him with zero sacks and only two quarterback hits allowed.
The Packers felt his absence in the Lions game. Elgton Jenkins stepped in at center but struggled to overcome the elements, botching three snaps in quick succession to decrease the chances of a miracle comeback win.
There is no doubting Myers’ toughness after playing through ankle, neck, and wrist injuries this season. It takes a lot to keep him out of a game, and with a three-week gap between his last start and the Week 11 game at Soldier Field, the hope is he can get back out there soon.
