Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur delivered some great news on Wednesday.
According to LaFleur, Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard, who missed the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, will practice on Wednesday. Lazard has been dealing with an ankle injury.
#Packers coach Matt LaFleur said that WR Allen Lazard will practice today.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) September 14, 2022
It’s been somewhat overlooked this week — at least by the national media — but not having Lazard in week one was a big reason why the Packers lost to the Vikings.
With Davante Adams no longer in Green Bay, Lazard was set to be the most important wide receiver on the field for the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers on going from Davante Adams to Allen Lazard as WR1:
“I mean it’s always tough going from Hall of Famer to Hall of Famer. From Davante to Allen, it’s gonna be a transition, but he’s capable of a lot.” pic.twitter.com/pBveMG5Qqh
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 27, 2022
Not having Lazard meant that Aaron Rodgers was forced to rely on rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
Each receiver showed promise — especially on the separation Watson got on Green Bay’s first play of the game (he has to make that catch, but the separation is encouraging) — but they’re still rookies without much experience.
If the Packers get Lazard back this week against the Chicago Bears, we should see a completely different-looking Green Bay offense.
And then fans can R-E-L-A-X after the Packers’ dreadful season-opening loss to the Vikings.
(Chicago, by the way, is coming off a surprising win against the San Francisco 49ers, so they’re actually ahead of the Packers in the NFC North after just one game.)
