The Green Bay Packers are trying to work themselves out of their current funk after the team fell to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. With injuries hitting the roster hard, the Packers are hopeful that the return of certain players means a spark in the offense to help Aaron Rodgers. One of those players aiming to come back by Thursday night is Andrew Quarless who stepped back on the practice field after missing eight games.
According to Tom Silverstein of JSOnline.com, Quarless returned to practice with the intention of getting active following a stint on injured reserve for a knee injury. The return to practice triggers a two week period the Packers can use to decide whether or not to activate Quarless or not. With a game against the Detroit Lions looming, having the tight end back would certainly be a nice spark to the offense and no one was ruling out the possibility that he could be back.
"Today was a big step for me, definitely a big step getting back with A-Rod and getting that timing back, footwork and fundamentals, certain little things," Quarless said, via JSOnline.com. "I'm a sixth-year veteran, so there's things I know how to do. It's just getting back into the mix of things. I don't know if it's going to be this week but I'm going to prepare like it is."
Getting Quarless back would be nice as Richard Rodgers has barely been involved in his place. however, the return of the tight end is certainly not a miracle drug for the offense. However, he could at least draw the defense away from someone else. Right now teams are double-teaming Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and James Jones and it is working. Without Jordy Nelson on the field or even Ty Montgomery who is out, the Packers lack productive bodies. Putting Quarless on even as a decoy could really boost the offense.
"I'd be naive if I was going to think his addition wouldn't make some kind of difference because he does have experience and he's been around the system a long time and he has a lot to offer," tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot said, via JSOnline.com. "I presume whenever he's ready, he'll be ready to contribute and provide what we need."
The Packers are facing a Detroit Lions team that has a lot of confidence while they lack some of their own. Eddie Lacy got going in a better direction in Week 12, but fumbles continue to haunt him. Adams looked like he was going to be productive, but key dropped passes ended drives. The Packers are hopeful getting at least Quarless back on the field will help as Montgomery does not look ready to play as he nurses an ankle injury.