The Green Bay Packers are aiming to hand the Denver Broncos their first loss of the season, but that will require a full healthy roster in order to get the job done. Already short on depth, the bye week might not see a return of everyone on the roster just yet. As wide receivers continue to drop for the Packers, Green Bay could be getting back one player while missing another.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Ty Montgomery has yet to be at practice this week. The wide receiver injured his ankle two weeks ago. X-rays on the issue came up negative, but clearly Montgomery could be out for at least another week. The loss of Montgomery hurts the Packers, but they will be getting back Davante Adams from his own ankle injury.
Adams has been participating in practice all week which will offset the loss of Montgomery for another week. Adams will pair with Randall Cobb and James Jones as the main three receivers. That is really all Green Bay has to work with right now as depth runs thin. Cobb is officially off the injury report after hurting his shoulder earlier in the year. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers admitted it was good to see his teammate healthy on the field.
"You know we've been missing him the last few weeks without him out there," Rodgers said, via ESPN.com. "So it's nice he's back 100 percent or close to it, I hope, I don't know. We'll see how he bounces back tomorrow and Saturday, but it will be good to get him back out there."
The loss of Montgomery could be paired with the loss of James Starks this week. Starks returned to practice on Thursday which was a good sign, but was only participating on a limited basis as he deals with a hip injury. Losing Starks is a hit to the offense after he put up 112 yards in their last game. Head coach Mike McCarthy told the media that Starks is getting healthy, but he would not comment on whether or not the running back would see a lot of playing time.
A limited Starks is not a huge issue for the Packers as Eddie Lacy returned from the bye week healthy. The running back has been banged up this year with an ankle injury. However, McCarthy noted that Lacy was healthy and refreshed after the week off. Lacy will certainly be challenged against the top defensive front of the Denver Broncos. Having Lacy healthy will certainly help the Packers.
"He looks good, just watching him work out and watching his work Monday," McCarthy said, via ESPN.com. "Particularly in the individual stuff, that's where you try to really stress each position, so I don't think the injury is affecting him anymore."
