The Green Bay Packers have lost Jordy Nelson to an ACL injury for the 2015 season and the team could consider signing Wes Welker to a free agent deal to help out, while James Jones could be an option if he is cut by the NY Giants. The Packers likely will start Davante Adams and Randall Cobb ahead of Jeff Janis and Myles White for Aaron Rodgers.
Nelson has been one of the most productive receivers in football over the past couple years and now he will be out for the season. According to ESPN.com, the team "feared" that Nelson had an ACL injury after he had to leave the preseason game against the Steelers this weekend and that was later confirmed on tests. Nelson is now done for the year and with Reggie Wayne signed to the Patriots, the team has limited options if they want to look outside the roster for help.
The Packers have Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, James Abbrederis and Myles White on the roster and with Nelson out, Adams and Cobb are the starters. Cobb obviously was a starter before Nelson went down, but now he is the clear number one. Defenses could lock into Cobb more and that could be a major issue this season and could force players like Adams and Janis to really step up. Janis has been up and down this summer, while Adams is coming in after a solid rookie season.
James Jones remains an option for the Packers IF he is cut from the Giants this preseason. The Giants added Jones last month on a deal to help out at WR and he is insurance in case Victor Cruz is not healthy. The Giants have some solid depth at wideout with Odell Beckham, Rueben Randle and Cruz and if all three are healthy, Jones could get cut, as he is on a one year deal with a $30,000 signing bonus. ESPN reports that an NFL exec said that Jones getting cut would be the best way for the Packers to "find someone who can contribute."
ESPN added that Wayne and Welker were the two most notable wideout names available on the market before Wayne signed with the Pats and there is a chance the Packers could make a move. The Packers also could look at signing some other players that get cut from teams leading into the season and ESPN reports the team also has players like Alex Gillett, Chastin West and Tori Gurley who are unsigned, but have worked with the Packers.
ESPN reports that Larry Pinkard and Ed Williams have "stood out" as undrafted rookies in camp, while Janis previously was looking to be the fourth or fifth wideout for Rodgers. White has had a "strong camp" for the Packers, while rookie Ty Montgomery could see more time than expected in his first season. Adams was a playmaker in college with over 20 TDs his rookie season and he will have the chance to breakout this season. Nelson had 13 touchdowns last season and set a franchise record with over 1500 receiving yards.
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