The Packers have received another set of updates regarding more of their injured players from yesterday’s loss to the Lions. Wideout Romeo Doubs is the latest at that position to be headed for an extended absence. 
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The fourth-round rookie suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). While more testing will be needed to confirm an exact timeline for his return, the news is likely to keep him sidelined for between four and six weeks. Assuming that is the case, the Packers will be even more shorthanded at the position.
Green Bay was already without veteran Randall Cobb, who is currently on IR. He, like nearly every other Packers receiver, has missed at least some time during the season, one in which the team’s offense has struggled mightily to find a rhythm in the passing game. Doubs had been the only WR who suited up for every game prior to this injury.
The 6-2, 200-pounder put himself on the NFL draft radar with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to close out his college career at Nevada. Part of an infusion of young talent at the position alongside Christian Watson, Doubs has managed 314 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie campaign. He ranks second on the team in receiving yards amongst wideouts, and third overall.
Given the team’s struggles on offense, Green Bay was involved in discussions to bring in notable additions at last week’s trade deadline. They offered a second-rounder to the Steelers for Chase Claypool, but found themselves runners-up to the Bears on that front. It was reported yesterday that they also tried to land tight end Darren Waller, and put a first-rounder on the table for the Panthers in their attempt to acquire wideout D.J. Moore. With nothing materializing, though, the team’s shorthanded group of in-house options will continue to be relied on.
In more positive news, running back Aaron Jones appears to have avoided any major injury. Testing on his ankle – which required him to wear a walking boot after the game – came back negative, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). As a result, he should be able to practice this week and play on Sunday against the Cowboys. A strong running game will be crucial moving forward, with another key piece of Green Bay’s passing attack unavailable.
And another one bites the dust
Yep. And as rotten it is that Watson is looking like a true bust, another talented athlete is suffering multiple concussions and should probably throw in the towel while he still has a chance at a normal life. The NFL had better figure out how to stop concussions or they’ll be out of business quickly – and justly so.
The concussion issue is one thing. Calling Watson a true bust is a little goofy, though. Aside from his injury struggles, he was always going to be too raw to contribute all that much as a normal receiver as a rookie. They bet on their ability to develop a raw player with great physical gifts. That’s not a year one payoff. Don’t get me wrong, I would have aimed for someone more ready, but calling him a bust after half a season is silly.
I think a lot of the bust talk regarding Watson, besides the injuries, is the surprise emergence of Doubs. Because he’s a 4th rounder contributing already, it makes Watson seem that much further behind.
Plus the draft capital they gave up to get him, and the countless 1st and 2nd round wr’s over the past few years who are putting up big numbers on a regular basis.
For the record, I don’t believe this team would be playoff caliber without all the injuries. From top to bottom (FO through the coaching staff and player 1 to 53) the team is a train wreck.
Your draft points absolutely make sense. I thought Skyy Moore would have been an immediate contributor. And in fairness to Doubs, I really think he was going to go in the second round until his measurements were surprising in both height and speed.
This year is a mess for injuries, pass catching personnel, and all around vibes, but I don’t think the whole thing is such a mess. Still believe in Lafleur. Still think the collection of talent on defense is excellent when healthy and think they have most of a good future OL even if this year has been rough. Still think Doubs and Watson could pay real dividends in a year or two. But I’m also still baffled why they didn’t do more to push their chips into the middle of the table for the last of Rodgers. I also still always think of how things might look if they had taken Higgins or Pittman instead of trading up for Love. Which isn’t revisionist history! It was common sense at the time!
He’s a tremendous athlete, but he’s had several concussions already as a Packer, and that can imply that he’s already had several in college/prep. Doesn’t mean he has, but each time the body experiences one, they come easier -truly horrible. I don’t think we’ll ever get a chance to see what he’s capable of, therefore bust. I just hope he makes the best decision for his continued health.
How is the NFL going to stop concussions?? Tell defenders not to hit? Lol. Maybe Decide it’s going to be flag football
Laugh if you want, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up with some form of flag football eventually, yes. These guys are suffering trauma to the brain at early ages and they’ll need to address it.
Lol dude stop it. They will not have a flag. That literally completely changes the entire concept of the most profitable sport in this country. Not happening.
The number of rule changes to outlaw any kind of hard-hitting is astonishing. Even more astonishing is the number of players who continue to suffer season and career ending injuries week-in and week-out.
Have you not seen the weekly stories of players suffering concussions? 69 reported this season through week 9 alone – link to sharpfootballanalysis.com
Many of the stars we enjoyed over the years have CTE which can cause a myriad of mental health issues including brain degeneration, including symptoms such as memory loss, impaired judgment, impulse control issues, aggression, depression, suicidality, and eventually progressive dementia. NFL statistics show that in 2012, 261 players were diagnosed with concussions during preseason and regular-season practices and games combined, 229 players in 2013 and 202 players in 2014.
Like it or not, we can’t let people go through this for our entertainment.
“We can’t let people go through this for our entertainment.”
Others have tried and failed. As long as the NFL is a billion dollar cash cow, nothing will change. The NFL will always treat their players like commodities and not human beings.
My suggestion would be to stop the current game altogether. There’s no way of making play safe without eviscerating gridiron football. The rules have become so absurdly complicated that the whole charade has become some kind of kabuki theatre and not football.
A choice has to be made: either these men are modern-day gladiators or they are flag football scamperers. The current compromise is ridiculous. Better to just switch over to European football, otherwise known as soccer.
Bring back more actual grass fields, stop playing games on carpet, and start making those fake fields extremely rare. Oh yeah, I forgot, real grass might cost more and those “carpet fields” help keep the reliance on fossil fuels and petroleum products.
It’s almost as if rolling into camp with a 2nd and 4th rounder with an oft injured slot guy as your top receivers wasn’t a good idea. I haven’t even touched Cobb or Watkins yet.
Fire Gute.
Yep, and it’s not like they didn’t need WR depth prior to this year. Gute screwed up.