Cory's Corner: Davante Adams Should Sit

Many people don't want to hear this. Many actually detest it.

Davante Adams has been practicing this week. Heck, he even leaped over a coach.

But there's no way the six-year pro should play at Los Angeles on Sunday. Adams has missed four games since suffering a turf toe on Sept. 26 vs. Philadelphia. Adams is easily a top five wideout, and many feared that without Adams the Packers would lose a step on offense.

Green Bay didn't worry about it. It simply focused on matchups and Aaron Jones has become a receiving focal point of the offense. If the Packers were genuinely concerned about a receiving problem, they would have gone out and made a trade for Emmanuel Sanders, Muhamed Sanu or another receiver.

The Chargers have been a huge disappointment this season. They were expected to contend with the Chiefs in the AFC West, but with plenty of injuries and the Melvin Gordon debacle, Los Angeles will be lucky to back into the playoffs. The Chargers barely escaped against Chicago last week, but were able to steal a win from the mouth of defeat after the Bears opted to mismanage common sense.

The Packers come back home and host Carolina, who is still starting rookie Kyle Allen at quarterback. Then, Green Bay gets a bye before heading to San Francisco.

The undefeated 49ers are beatable, but only with a mobile quarterback and receivers that stretch the field. Adams needs to be 100 percent healthy for that game because it is going to play a huge role in determining home field advantage for the playoffs.

Could Adams play before that and take off the rust? Sure, but he won't be needed for the win. The worst thing that could happen is if Adams' turf toe flares up because he played a meaningless game.

Last week, Adams said that he felt "two million times better." The only thing the athletes want to do is play. That's how they are wired. But now it's time for the Packers to not only protect Adams from himself but also protect their future.

Many people still don't believe in the Packers, but they are for real. This is a special season because they have beaten four defenses in the top 10 in scoring. The 49ers are currently No. 2 and Green Bay will need explosion to beat them.

Just like Aaron Rodgers used to say, "R-E-L-A-X."

 

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__________________________

Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

__________________________

NFL Categories: 
8 points
 

Comments (68)

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

November 02, 2019 at 06:55 am

If he feels good to go and the doctors say there is no particular risk of aggravating his injury, he should definitely play.
There is no meaningless game until you have locked home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

GB medical staff is known for being conservative so no problem for me if Adams plays sunday

16 points
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Tundraboy's picture

November 02, 2019 at 07:15 am

I was just going to say that there is no meaningless game.

11 points
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Guam's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:33 am

Spot on Sureshot. The Packer medical staff is notoriously conservative with their players. If they clear Adams to play, let him play. If they believe he could benefit from more rest, sit him. But they need to drive the decision, not Adams and not the coaching staff.

3 points
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Bure9620's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:51 am

There IS a risk of reaggrivating Turf toe if the ligament is not healed. Many players with that injury have gotten worse by playing on it. Davante should not play till SF.

-3 points
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Sureshot's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:42 am

OK but why SF?
Why not keep him on a shelf until playoffs?
Any player can be hurt in any game.

As I wrote (and you seem to have missed it), if the medical staff thinks there is no risk of aggravating the injury (ie fully healed) he should play.

I don't see the point to keep your best players out of the lineup if they can play.

6 points
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Bure9620's picture

November 02, 2019 at 10:06 am

100 percent health for SF. Frankly, we do not need Adams to beat SD or Carolina at home. We do need him to beat SF and moving forward. Give him the bye week as well, and ensure he is 100% healthy moving into the home stretch. The SF game is important head to head, a game we need for playoff seeding. The last thing we need is for Adams to reinjure the toe against SD and all of a sudden he is questionable moving forward. Turf toe is a real pain in the ass injury. Similar to a sprained ankle, You can feel fine then you reinjure it very easily if not healed. The Packers need to play this one conservative.

-2 points
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dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 02:16 pm

" we do not need Adams to beat SD or Carolina at home."

This is a dangerous attitude to have. This Packers team hasn't been blowing the doors off anyone. They've played a whole bunch of one-score games, and the games that were more than one-score were still in doubt near the end.

6 points
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Samson's picture

November 02, 2019 at 02:39 pm

The Pack are 4-0 without DA... All against better teams than the Chargers.

Note: The Saints are 7-1... 5 of their wins are one score or less (2,6,2,7,7).... Margin of score is not a viable argument to push a player back from injury before it's necessary... (As a result.. Brees sits a full 5 weeks)

A team's upcoming opponents weigh heavy in when players return from injury.

3 points
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Oppy's picture

November 02, 2019 at 11:52 pm

I agree that saying we don't need this player or that player to beat this team or that team is a dangerous line of thought.

You never know. Any given sunday, and all that. I remember back when the Packers rolled into Indianapolis as a powerhouse team ready to face the winless, joke-of-the-NFL Colts, and the Packers gave the colts their sole win of the (1997?) season.

That being said.. I do think it might be prudent to rest Adams until after the bye.

2 points
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Oppy's picture

November 02, 2019 at 11:59 pm

For clarity's sake- I am not concerned about saving Davante for the SF game. I'm concerned with giving him as much time as possible to get healed up so we have the highest probablity of not re-aggrivating the turf toe, and I feel it would be beneficial to use the bye week to extend that healing time as long as is feasible

2 points
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ALLGASNOBRAKES's picture

November 02, 2019 at 04:31 pm

Boy I don't know Bure9620. This is a Chargers team who some thought would contend for a spot in the SB with the Patriots and Chiefs. ANY team with offensive players like Rivers, Allen, Henry, Eckler, and Gordon can be pretty scary on any given Sunday. The Chargers secondary is pretty good too and they have 2 pretty good pass rushers with Ingram and Bosa.

No offense buddy but this is EXACTLY the type of team who could all of a sudden get their shit together and be downright scary!

Play Adams when the medical staff clears him. Not Adams, the coaches, or anyone else...Just the doctors. With that said when it does happen, I like Bearmeats and TGR's idea...Dress him and ease him back in.

5 points
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Sol's picture

November 02, 2019 at 06:58 am

I agree 100% he has everything to gain and nothing to lose or prove

2 points
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Boneman's picture

November 02, 2019 at 07:14 am

The luxury of playing receiver is that he can be limited by snap count and work his way back to full speed. Figure out what he can do well with minimum risk and do just that. Some Davante is better than no Davante! Go Pack!

11 points
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4thand1's picture

November 02, 2019 at 07:17 am

Boy I remember not to long ago defending Adams and getting a bunch of dislikes for doing so. My how times have changed, he has become a star in the NFL. He is considered so good he demands major media attention. I'm all for sitting him in this next game "if" he has a chance of re-injury, or making it worse. It hasn't been that long so what's one more week. We are clicking now on offense, and he needs more practice time to mesh with what we are doing now, (Lazard, Jones, Williams, Kumero, TE's, ) But there's no better barometer than actual playing time in real games. Whatever the Pack decides I trust them to make the right choice. If he plays it's going to fun to watch defenses trying to stop them.GOPACKGO

10 points
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Bearmeat's picture

November 02, 2019 at 07:43 am

I said much the same thing yesterday. If Davante is ready to play without risk of further injury to the toe, let him play. Otherwise, let him sit. If the Toe would benefit from further rest, I'd dress him but not play him unless things go sideways and the game is unexpectedly close.

8 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 02, 2019 at 01:55 pm

This ^^^

If the medical staff clears him, then dress him and wait a quarter to see how the game goes without him.

The re-injury rate seems high on turf toe, but what do I know.

6 points
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DragonSilk's picture

November 02, 2019 at 07:58 am

This is the type of thing fans just can't know. I would error on the side of caution. If he goes out and re injures it that could sink our chances in the playoffs. I remember Sterling Sharpe fighting through the same thing and ending up injuring his knee, possibly because of favoring that foot. There were periods in the KC game where we stalled on O and you knew if Tae was out there it would have been different. To win the Super Bowl we need him as close to 100% as possible. In the final analysis just let the doctors decide.

5 points
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ricky's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:01 am

IF he plays, limited snap count, as mentioned above. And if there is any discomfort, or any indication he is having a problem with the foot/toe, bench him until after the bye. How long would it take him to "shake off the rust" and get in sync with Rodgers? Two short passes? Maybe three? Minimize the risk and maximize the results.

0 points
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2
Packers2020's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:04 am

If he is 90%, he should not play. If he is 95%, he should not play.

The only way he should play is if he is no doubt 100% and the injury is completely healed.

You want him for the stretch run and the playoffs.

-2 points
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DragonSilk's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:39 am

He should be 100% sometime in March.

6 points
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dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:17 am

Look at how many players--starters and key players--the Packers listed on their practice report this week...

https://www.packers.com/team/injury-report/

That's 22 guys! The bottom line is that once you hit midseason, very few players are truly 100%. How many guys are you going to sit?

6 points
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Sureshot's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:46 am

Excellent point
No starter is 100% after 8 games taking hits.

3 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 02, 2019 at 07:19 pm

22?

1 points
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dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:11 pm

Listed on the practice report, yes.

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 03, 2019 at 12:57 am

No, I meant that the report means 22 guys should sit. :)

Sigh - Since TK left, I sometimes try to mitigate his absence. But there is only one TK, I guess. It worked better down below.

2 points
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Spock's picture

November 03, 2019 at 07:33 am

TK's abrupt leaving left a gaping hole in quick humor and puns (sigh), but I caught what you were doing there. I'd give up all of (Dobber's) cookies for just one more of his witty comments. :(

1 points
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Lphill's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:14 am

Let him suit up so they think he is but don’t play him, I think they can beat the Chargers without him. Or should be able to . But I need the Pack to win by 3.5 because I have them in my weekly pool. I already lost with the 49 ers.

-2 points
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Norm's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:37 pm

Hate to break the bad news Lphill but I don't think there is any way they can win by 3.5.

3 points
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porupack's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:41 am

Well, I definitely feel benching or playing has a compelling case. So, I'm glad my opinion is irrelevant.

0 points
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porupack's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:50 am

If Davante is held out, I think it would be time for heavy usage of 2 TE sets, to assist blocking Bosa and the pass rush, but then alternatively spin out for significant targets in passing. With Graham and Lewis both on the field, either can chip block, and alternatively go into passing routes, especially my hope is for Marcedes to have a career game receiving one of these days. I'd like to see it tomorrow. I feel like the world is corrected a little bit every time Lewis gets a reception.

7 points
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SterlingSharpe's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:58 am

We don't know how his toe is. Only he & the team doc knows.

While I feel this article is below average from Jennerjohn, I get his point: we need our moat lethal weapons in San Franciscoas that game could be massive in deciding homefield advantage. But no games are meaningless. We are only 1 game ahead of the Viqueens so a L anywhere on the schedule hurts.

10 points
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Oppy's picture

November 02, 2019 at 11:55 pm

I agree. I would suggest that to be our moat lethal we should think of stocking it with alligators and piranha. ;)

1 points
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1
mnbadger's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:12 am

Assuming he's cleared medically, play him to stress the defense. If it's a tight game, play to win it or the SanFran game doesn't matter.

6 points
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Houndog's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:17 am

Sit him!
This is a game the Packers should win without him, and he's far too valuable to risk at anything less than 100%.
LaFleur has shown a knack for adjusting to the competition and I expect nothing less against the Chargers.
The stretch run is going to be tough, and a completely healthy Adams will be a huge asset toward HFA.

-3 points
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5
dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:24 am

This is a game that screams "run the football". The middle of San Diego's defense is beat up and they struggle to stop the run even when healthy. I see a lot of inside zone runs this week.

Count me in on the "if he feels good enough to go and he's cleared to play, he should play" contingent. Always in this contingent.

10 points
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4thand1's picture

November 02, 2019 at 09:36 am

Teams have tons of film on Devante. If he suits up, he'll demand a lot of attention. The only problem AR will have is deciding which open receiver to throw to. MVS Lazard on the outside, Devante in the slot..............oh man. Rotate them around, fun fun fun. Oh , and where is Aaron jones and Williams? Chargers are F---ed!

0 points
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Cartwright's picture

November 02, 2019 at 10:54 am

If folks want him 100% for the SF game he should play now to shake off the rust and get in a groove with his QB. Limit his snaps maybe but begin developing the timing again now. Not playing in real games for over a month sets you back no matter how good you are.

2 points
3
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stockholder's picture

November 02, 2019 at 11:00 am

He's getting the big bucks to play. Nobody knows your body better then yourself. If Adams says it's a go, play him. Thinking otherwise should be left to the training staff.

1 points
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Qoojo's picture

November 02, 2019 at 05:23 pm

Considering no one outside of Adams and the medical staff truly know the severity of the injury. The doctor(s) have briefed Adams and packers on the potential for aggravating the injury or incurring another injury due to it. Traditionally, the packers are quite conservative on injuries, so I kind of think they will lean on the side of protecting the player. So given that, I am fine with their decision. I think this sort of conjecture is just an epic facepalm, "Hey I don't know severity of the injury, and I am not a doctor, but I think he [should/shouldn't] play..."

4 points
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1
mnbadger's picture

November 02, 2019 at 11:11 am

Assuming he's cleared medically, play him to stress the defense. If it's a tight game, play to win it or the SanFran game doesn't matter.

2 points
2
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Samson's picture

November 02, 2019 at 11:44 am

Very difficult call at this point ... My question refers to the statement below.... What grade injury did D. Adams have? --- Anyone know?

"Recovery time
You'll usually recover from a grade 1 injury in a few days to a week. Grade 2 injuries usually take a few weeks to fully heal. You may not be allowed to play sports or do any exercise after a grade 2 injury for two or more weeks. Grade 3 injuries can take months to heal."

I would hate to see D. Adams down on the field wincing in pain holding his foot again against the Chargers.... I'm not sure DA is needed to beat the Chargers.

2 points
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Ferrari-Driver's picture

November 02, 2019 at 12:27 pm

We only play 16 regular season games for the entire season. Adams is paid millions to play, let him do his job if he is healthy enough to do it. Injuries are part of the NLF and few are 100 percent healthy half way through the season.

-1 points
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1
LambeauPlain's picture

November 02, 2019 at 12:32 pm

If the medical staff says DA can go...and if DA says he can go...he will go. And if he does go, I'd see him play 20 limited snaps or so.

Adams said after the injury he would be very patient with his recovery and not rush back. Where a turf toe seems to be a big problem is when players try to play through it. Packer RB of several years ago, Jackson, played hurt with it. It wrecked his career.

DA even referenced this chronic issue when he said he would not play until it was healed. If he plays, it is because it is healed up. If not, it isn't 100%.

0 points
0
0
PackfanNY's picture

November 02, 2019 at 12:51 pm

The writer of the article just made the mistake no one should make. He has appointed himself the internet fan Doctor. The only people that have a say in this decision is the Team Doctor, the Packers and Davante Adams himself. They are the only people who know exactly what the injury is, what has been done for treatment and what if any risk of re-injury or further injury is.

This is really not that complicated. If the Doctors feel he is good to go, if Adams agrees and feels good and the Packers are satisfied then and only then should he play. Healthy football players, play football. Holding them out for no reason does nothing. Their is a difference between playing hurt and being injured.

1 points
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4
Samson's picture

November 02, 2019 at 02:08 pm

The writer of the article expressed his opinion.... nothing more. ---- Everyone knows who decides if DA plays or not.... DA, of course, wants to play... The question becomes and it's really not that complicated --- Will the Packers & the Team Doctor make the correct choice?

You're making the mistake no one should make.... That a team & it's doctor are infallible... Here's a clue --- They aren't infallible.... They make mistakes.

0 points
4
4
PackfanNY's picture

November 02, 2019 at 02:35 pm

He really can’t have an educated opinion. Neither can any of us. Only his Doctor, Davante and the Packers know the severity of the injury.

LOL. “That a team & it’s Doctor are infallible”. Where was that in my post? You made it up. However, the Doctor (you know the one paid, educated and hired to make that determination) has a lot more information to make an informed decision. Get a clue.

-2 points
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3
Samson's picture

November 02, 2019 at 02:51 pm

You continue to state that "only his Doctor, Davante & the Packers know the severity of the injury"...
My contention is not complicated... Doctors are not infallible. I'm not attributing that statement to you, nor is it a quote from you. ----- That's IMHO. -- It has nada to do with either of your posts.

-1 points
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dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 08:15 pm

" Will the Packers & the Team Doctor make the correct choice?"

Tune in next time when Packers fandom gets to decide in retrospect what "the correct choice" actually was.

2 points
2
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flackcatcher's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:52 pm

Nuts :-) I wanted to be the internet fan doctor.....

6 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 02, 2019 at 02:00 pm

I think Davante should be limited to just jumping over a referee. He shouldn't run any routes and probably should pick one of the shorter referees.

5 points
5
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dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:53 pm

Winner!

1 points
1
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dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:53 pm

Winner!

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:54 pm

Doink!

2 points
2
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flackcatcher's picture

November 02, 2019 at 04:01 pm

Winner!

1 points
1
0
dark42's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:40 pm

It feels like this topic was intended to be controversial.

He'll play when the Packers medical staff feel he's not at any more risk to do more harm to the ligaments in his toe than he would be on any given day - not when fans think it is or isn't worth the risk. And even if he is completely healed, it's still in the back of his mind where he could accidentally injure it again - he has to be able to play without thinking about it. Players get paid to play. Medical staffs get paid for professional treatments and assessments. Fans don't get paid for good reasons. :)

As far as sitting until the SF game, I'd worry about his timing with Rodgers and route running being off after a lengthy absence. I don't believe he'll be at 100% if he sits until then. Even if he plays vs Chargers, the offense has evolved some and will take time for him to blend into it again. A quarter? Half, 1 game? More? No one can predict. I'd like to have at least 1 game under his belt where he's completely in sync before he faces SF. :)

1 points
2
1
flackcatcher's picture

November 02, 2019 at 03:59 pm

Yeah, Cory likes to click bait every now and then. Not as much in past years, when the CHTV commenters would roast him pretty good. Personally, I gave him a pass on this one, he just wrote what a lot of folks were thinking.....

1 points
2
1
marpag1's picture

November 03, 2019 at 12:14 pm

I dunno. The uber-dramatic opening lie - er, I mean 'opening line' - was pretty funny, I thought. I chuckled.

If anyone knows the actual medical condition of Davante's toe, please post the information here. Otherwise, it's just a lot of people talking straight outta their butts...

0 points
0
0
4thand1's picture

November 03, 2019 at 12:03 pm

The only thing affecting his big toe is some fungus that sgt Howka took care of.

0 points
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SterlingSharpe's picture

November 02, 2019 at 04:25 pm

Davante, MVS, Lazard, Kumerow, Geronimo is a nice 5 WRs.... with Jones & Williams outta the backfield, and the big TEs Graham & Marcedes.
We've been very healthy all in all, have to take advantage of that.

Packers are renowned for NOT rushing players back too soon from injuries.

2 points
2
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Swisch's picture

November 02, 2019 at 04:37 pm

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
catch a Packer by the turf toe.
If he hollers, don't let him go,
eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

0 points
2
2
canadapacker's picture

November 02, 2019 at 04:52 pm

Totally disagree with the sitting prognosis. This is a warm weather game. This is a game where he does not need to play a lot. This is a game where even if he gets a few snaps in it is a bonus because next week will be a cold weather game and the weather is getting colder in Green Bay and not a typical fall day but one with below freezing temps which could lead to a slippery field. So play him as many snaps as his body can take and then see where he is at. If he manages to have any type of issue he can sit until after the bye. That would be the smart move.

2 points
2
0
albert999's picture

November 02, 2019 at 10:46 pm

Play him and score a crap load of points so he can sit the second half or be used as a decoy

0 points
0
0
PAPackerbacker's picture

November 03, 2019 at 03:59 am

Risking Adams at this stage in the season is not a good idea. If the game is lost to the Chargers it is better than losing Adams for the rest of the season. Let him recover completely, then they have the bye week and he should be 100% healthy for playing against the 49er's, which very well could be the game that determines home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I think the Packers can win this game against the Chargers without Adams, but even if they don't it is wiser to have Adams healthy for the stretch to the playoffs. No games are meaningless and never. ever, take an opponent lightly. But the risk could prove to be greater than the reward at this stage in the season if Adams is not 100% healthy. If he is 100% healthy then by all means let him play. A game breaker like Adams will be needed more versus the 49er's than the Chargers. As a huge Packer fan I would love to see Adams return and watch him perform his magic, but not at the risk of further injury.

-3 points
0
3
albert999's picture

November 03, 2019 at 09:01 am

How do you know he’s not recovered completely

2 points
2
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Packer_Fan's picture

November 03, 2019 at 06:16 am

Disagree Cory. If he can play then let him. But limit the numbers of plays to 20 to 25 at the most. Fatigue and not playing for four weeks could increase the chances of reinjury.

2 points
2
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Handsback's picture

November 03, 2019 at 06:52 am

If Adams is practicing, then he's running the risk of further damage to his toe if it hasn't healed. The fact he is going full speed, and the toe isn't hurting too much, then he can play. I don't think further rest will help unless it's months not weeks.

2 points
2
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sheppercheeser's picture

November 03, 2019 at 06:58 am

This reminds me of the recent Drew Brees injury. Common sense would dictate taking extra time off. In the Brees case, he was only going to play one more game before their bye week! No brainer- sit out! But nope, he played- thank goodness he didn't re-aggravate the injury. Same thing here with Davante- if he re-aggravates his toe, the fans will be up in arms, and I agree. We are 7-1! No, I don't think we can afford to lose ANY games, but the likely hood of that happening is remote. At the very least, limit Davante's snap-count. We need him for the post-season.

-1 points
0
1
Leatherhead's picture

November 03, 2019 at 02:18 pm

Guys have played with turf toe. It hurts and won't heal unless you rest it, but you can play. And Adams is saying it doesn't hurt him, so he'd like to get out on the field and help the team.

If it flares up, you rest him again. If not, he's good to go. Id limit his snap count, especially in the first half.

0 points
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