Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander, David Bakhtiari all practice Friday

The Packers could start to get guys back from injury starting Sunday in Detroit. 

For the first time in two months, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers participated in practice two days in a row.

Rodgers was indeed present and slinging it around on Friday during the portion of practice made available to reporters. 

Joining Rodgers was left tackle David Bakhtiari, who practiced Wednesday but only did conditioning work on Thursday, and cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was taken off the reserve/Covid-19 list earlier on Friday. 

Rookie center Josh Myers also completed a full week of practice, his first since having surgery for a knee injury suffered in Chicago back in October. He should make his return to the field on Sunday. 

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur indicated the team would see how Bakhtiari feels on Saturday and will make the determination on whether he'll play in Detroit on Sunday morning. 

LaFleur indicated Jaire Alexander will not play against the Lions. 

 

 

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7 points
 

Comments (24)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Ya_tittle's picture

January 07, 2022 at 02:09 pm

Apparently MLF ruled out our new returner David Moore. Was hoping he won a job last week.

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PackerAaron's picture

January 07, 2022 at 03:51 pm

Only due to Covid. I suspect he'll be the returner for the playoffs.

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jont's picture

January 08, 2022 at 09:55 am

"Only due to Covid."

It's only covid. I know you're not making any kind or commentary, Aaron-- and I haven't a clue what you think about vaxx and all that-- but allow me to over think this point as something larger about how far we've come in this pandemic.

We are very fortunate that all of the measures we've put in place and worked through have brought us to the point where we see this as an inconvenience as much as anything else. Let's hope this trajectory continues.

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Cheesey51's picture

January 07, 2022 at 11:40 pm

I'm very disappointed Moore is ruled out for Sundays Game. He wasvery natural and brought confidence to the return team
Is Hub going to be on this Sundays pregame show? Nobody has said a word.
He better not be
Cynically, His ProFootball Weekly circulation was probably decreasing and he figured coming down on Aaron would boost its circulation. Guys a BUM!!!

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Coldworld's picture

January 08, 2022 at 09:36 am

He’s had Covid, so no practice and maybe not fully fit. My guess is that he has won the job, but they are content to let Rodgers get time this week. They are going to need bodies able to play non ST snaps as only 53 can be active and it looks likely a number of players will be intended for limited snaps, not just those returning to the field after injury. Moore hasn’t had any time to practice on offense and he’s shown his value on STs.

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NJ-RICK's picture

January 07, 2022 at 02:15 pm

The timing couldn't have been any better.... GPG.....!

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Leatherhead's picture

January 07, 2022 at 02:22 pm

Really good news. I'm surprised that Myers is back. He was off to such a strong start and he'll be a solid piece for the next couple of years.

If we could add a healthy Z and Jaire to this defense, we'd be a really good group.

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Starrbrite's picture

January 07, 2022 at 05:15 pm

Right on Leatherhead—this is looking good. I especially want Z back in the circle of blue chippers.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

January 08, 2022 at 11:45 am

Oh my....wouldn't that be fabulous?

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Since'61's picture

January 07, 2022 at 03:34 pm

tThis great news! Sounds like we could have Bak, Jaire, and Myers back for the playoffs. I hope that Turner is back as well. That would solidify our OL and leave us with plenty of OL depth throughout the playoffs. With Alexander and Stokes at CB we can shut down our opponents top receivers.

We just a plan to keep Covid away. GPG! Thanks, Since '61

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Starrbrite's picture

January 07, 2022 at 05:17 pm

Exactly—I read they may play Jaire in the slot. Just get him on the field—right!

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LambeauPlain's picture

January 07, 2022 at 04:45 pm

I think kicking the tires on Myers is good move. And keep Patrick as the starting C for the playoffs is what I think a prudent move, with Myers as backup...unless he just dominates on Sunday. I would not move Lucas to RG on Sunday. Newman has had two good performances back to back after several rocky outings.

Longer term, getting Bak back at LT would allow Yosh to move to RT.

A Playoff line of Bak, Runyon, Myers, Turner, Nijman with Patrick, Newman and Kelly on deck looks like a winner.

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Starrbrite's picture

January 07, 2022 at 05:20 pm

Lambeau—That’s the oline I see as the best combination as well.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 07, 2022 at 05:23 pm

I am confused: do you want Myers or Patrick at OC?

I really am deferring to the coaches on the oline. I usually have an opinion (lol) but with all the health issues, I just don't know. I do wonder if it is worth it to move Turner to RG. He never was all that great at RG. OTOH, his competence at RT might just mean he has improved overall as a player. IDK. The GB coaches seem to know what they are doing with the OL.

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Coldworld's picture

January 08, 2022 at 09:51 am

Turner is a better T than guard. Is he a better G than Newman? Till a month or so ago i think yes, but Newman has been very much better since. He’s not getting fooled by opposing schemes as he was earlier.

Is Turner a better G than Patrick? Also a genuine question. If we assume that Myers is better than Patrick, then it’s also s valid one. Myers was not perfect either—he’s a very promising rookie. He’s going to be but I am not convinced he is overall. He’s probably a better run blocker and probably not as good in the passing game. Which is more important?

I think Nijman will be a starting Tackle for years. That said, if Turner is healthy, I’d rate him a better option in the playoffs this year. I think we also need to be cautious with Bakh. The best use of Nijman maybe to back up Bakh if Bakh is ready to replace him, leaving the right side settled in the event Bakh needs assistance. Right now, I’d start Patrick at C. Go with continuity unless you’ve a standout returning (Bakh) and truly ready to play (unknown) or an obviously more limited player (Kelly).

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GBPDAN1's picture

January 07, 2022 at 09:29 pm

Is Nijman more of a LT type?

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Coldworld's picture

January 08, 2022 at 10:01 am

He’s got the physical attributes that would normally mean teams would play him on the blindside. He played in college without being trained technically, just on physical dominance. The Packers decided to focus him entirely on the left about a year in, to teach him at one position without confusion. He’d come on a long way technically and further with playing time.

That was exclusive until this summer when they started giving him snaps on the right. He played there relatively well. Whether he’s currently better than a healthy Turner is open to debate, but physically, he’s very good in the run game and more than athletic and strong enough to play on the right. With Jenkins out, there is no question that Nijman is the only genuine LT on the roster other than Bakh. Turner is athletic enough to be a pinch fill in type and Kelly is a man mountain suited to RT not left.

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GBPDAN1's picture

January 07, 2022 at 09:26 pm

Great news. Any news on Billy Turner?

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Lphill's picture

January 07, 2022 at 10:02 pm

I would like to see Alexander back more than anyone else , how effective could Z Smith be after all this down time.

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nygary's picture

January 08, 2022 at 03:07 am

Even if Z can get 15 snaps a game on the edge, that would help this defense a lot. There would be no let down when RG or PS are out of the game.

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Coldworld's picture

January 08, 2022 at 10:09 am

We won’t know on Z till he’s cleared physically by the medical team. It’s the kind of injury where it’s not easy to tell visually or to practice in restricted fashion in the final stages. He’s either cleared or not. If he is, as we saw with Mercillus and as you point out, as an OLB he can help almost immediately. So will he won’t he may go on for a while and end very suddenly if it does.

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Postman's picture

January 08, 2022 at 06:55 am

The OL to operate as a unit is an important detail that with Bak and Meyers incorporate together need game speed to work in the Playoffs. I am wondering what the starting combination will be in Detroit.

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jont's picture

January 08, 2022 at 10:05 am

After so much time off these guys will need a little on field action to get back to where they were, but their returns are still excellent news for the team.

Coaches Stenavich and Gray have done brilliant work this year keeping the O-line and secondary playing at a high level in the face of several injuries, but let's remember that these groups are thin. Another injury in either area would be rough.

Even at 80% Bakh and Alexander as healthy back-ups is tremendous.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

January 08, 2022 at 11:52 am

Don't ever recall a situation like this over the years where with playoffs approaching so many top level players are returning from injury. Timing couldn't be better!

Hats off to the medical staff and coaches for collaborating and working together to make this possible. Should all these players come back at full strength and integrated wisely I don't know that the national pundits and our upcoming opponents realize the impact these players will have on the GBP's overall game performance.

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