The availability of several key players for the Green Bay Packers to start the postseason will remain in doubt – at least publicly – until Friday for some and Saturday for others.
Coach Matt LaFleur provided only surface-level updates on Thursday.
The Packers will get back receiver Randall Cobb, who is expected to be activated from injured reserve on Thursday, and right tackle Billy Turner, who has practiced all week and is “good to go,” per LaFleur.
But the rest? It’s still unclear.
Left tackle David Bakhtiari and cornerback Jaire Alexander will be listed as questionable to play, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be doubtful to play, and outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus will only play if they are activated from injured reserve on Friday.
The wait continues.
Bakhtiari (knee) didn’t practice on Friday. Alexander is still trying to determine if his shoulder is in good enough shape to play the cornerback position. Valdes-Scantling aggravated a previous back injury and didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. Smith (back) and Mercilus (biceps) are both attempting to come back from significant injuries.
It’s possible the Packers could get a big boost from the return of the injured difference-makers on Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers. LaFleur and the team have maintained a “day by day” approach for many of the players, including Bakhtiari and Alexander.
More information will be known Friday. The status of others won’t be known until inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday night.
