9:54pm: Cobb should be ready to play be the season opener against the Bears on September 13th, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN. He has a sprain but it is not believed to be a long-term injury, and his status is day-to-day.
It is serious enough that he likely would not be able to play in the team’s last preseason game on Thursday if the starters were scheduled to play in that game.
4:23pm: The Packers and receiver Randall Cobb got some good news today, as an MRI showed that the 25-year-old has a sprained AC joint, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). While the injury is considered minor, it’s still unclear as to whether Cobb will be able to suit up for Week 1.
Green Bay could ill afford another serious injury at wide receiver, as pass-catcher Jordy Nelson is already set to miss the entire 2015 season after tearing his ACL. Cobb is now the club’s unquestioned No. 1 wideout, so losing him for any amount of time would further hamper a Packers team that finished first in offensive DVOA last season. If Cobb isn’t able to go to start the season, fellow receivers Jeff Janis and Ty Montgomery, as well as tight end Richard Rodgers, could be in line for more work.
Following Nelson’s diagnosis, the Packers reportedly checked into free agent receiver Reggie Wayne. Wayne has since signed with the Patriots, but it’s not inconceivable that Green Bay could take a look at other free agents if Cobb’s injury keeps him out for a few weeks. Donnie Avery, Kevin Ogletree, and Wes Welker are among the options still left on the open market.
Sounds like they caught a break. Demovsky wrote yesterday that had Cobb’s injury been more serious, it would have rendered the Packers’ season meaningless. Even with Rodgers under center, it would have been hard to argue with him.