2022 Packers Week One: Four Players Trending Up/Down
As Week one quickly approaches for the Packers, who are four players that are trending up and four that are trending down? With eight players currently questionable, who among them is trending?
We are currently four days away from the faceoff between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. There are a few questions regarding the health of a few playmakers and how well the rookies will perform in their first regular season game. Depending on who starts on Sunday, can easily sway the betting line which currently sits at Packers -1.5.
Packers Players Trending Up
1) Packers Wide Receiver: Sammy Watkins
With Allen Lazard carrying the questionable tag on Monday, no one seems to know what is going on with him and the organization is keeping it confidential. Christian Watson and Robert Tonyan are still coming off injuries so this puts Watkins in the driver’s seat to lead the receiving corps if those guys aren’t able to suit up or are limited.
2) Packers Wide Receiver: Romeo Doubs
With Sammy Watkins trending up, rookie sensation Romeo Doubs also moves up in the pecking order. If Lazard, Watson, and Tonyan are limited at all or don’t suit up, we could see Watkins and Doubs stretch the field for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Doubs had a stellar rookie camp and performed well in preseason. All eyes will be on Doubs and Rodgers’ chemistry.
3) Packers Tight End: Josiah Deguara
With Robert Tonyan still nursing his ACL injury from last season, if he is unable to suit up Josiah Deguara will fill in as the top tight end option. Even if Tonyan is limited, we’ll still see Deguara out on the field. Deguara has a low ceiling as Marcedes Lewis and Tyler Davis will also receive snaps as a committee.
4) Packers Left Tackle: David Bakhtiari
On Monday, September 5 David Bakhtiari said that he believes he will suit up on Sunday for the first time since last season when he was only able to play 27 snaps as he recovers from a torn ACL in December 2020. If Bakhtiari can play, he will help seal the left end of the line to cover Rodgers’ blind spot.
Packers Players Trending Down
1) Packers Tight End: Robert Tonyan
Robert Tonyan has been questionable since being activated off the PUP list in mid-August. He is still nursing his knee back to full health after his torn ACL in Week eight last season. If Tonyan can suit up on Sunday, his presence will help in the passing game, especially in the endzone.
2) Packers Right Tackle: Elgton Jenkins
Similar to Bakhtiari, Jenkins is also recovering from a torn ACL. There hasn’t been much media attention surrounding Jenkins lately so it’s hard to tell how well he is progressing. He wasn’t at practice this weekend but it was due to a different issue beyond his rehab. If Jenkins and Bakhtiari can suit up on Sunday, Rodgers should have all day in the pocket.
3) Packers Wide Receiver: Christian Watson
Christian Watson is still working his way back after surgery in the off-season. He’s missed most of training camp and just recently started practicing with the team. His chemistry with Rodgers will be something to monitor this season since he had the least amount of time spent with the MVP. Watson is trending upwards to playing on Sunday but there hasn’t been much chatter to confirm that.
4) Packers Wide Receiver: Allen Lazard
Allen Lazard was a surprise player that popped up on the injury report on Monday. He’s had zero issues throughout camp but he was spotted jogging off the field on Monday which triggered his questionable status. Today is the second day in which he hasn’t practiced. We’ll know more later when the injury report is released but hopefully, it’s nothing that’ll restrict him on gameday.
Injury Report
We’ll find out later this afternoon how severe some of these players’ “injuries” are and who has a better shot at playing this weekend when the Packers injury report releases. It’s hard to tell if Lazard’s undisclosed injury is just smoke to cloud the Vikings’ game plan or if something is going on. Most of the starters did not play in the preseason so it’ll be interesting to see how the first quarter goes along with the game.