Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb Injury Updates
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) reacts after picking up a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Packers 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers are finally on the mend, and they are getting healthy at a perfect time. Sunday’s tilt against the rival Chicago Bears decides everything, as the winner wins the NFC North and gets into the playoffs, while the loser essentially loses everything. The Bears are in some serious trouble following last week’s horrendous loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and they are going to face an even better quarterback this week. Yesterday, the Packers made the official announcement that Aaron Rodgers is finally healthy enough to start, and their prudency will likely be rewarded in a big way.
Not only that, but it looks like the Packers will get star receiver Randall Cobb back. When Cobb suffered a serious leg injury in the first half of the team’s Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens, there were some worries that he would be out for the rest of the season. But Cobb has made huge progress over the past month, and he had a legit chance at playing last week. He didn’t play, but it sounds like he’ll make his return this week. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said some encouraging words about Cobb’s status yesterday, and my guess is that we’ll see Cobb playing on a pitch count.
While Cobb’s status is still technically a toss-up, I think it’s safe to say that star running back Eddie Lacy will most likely play on Sunday. Lacy has been huge for the Packers as a rookie, and his workhorse ability really gives the Packers balance on offense. He’s this franchise’s best running back since Ahman Green, and he has 1,112 rushing yards and ten touchdowns this season. With Aaron Rodgers coming back and Eddie Lacy playing his best ball, the Packers could be the team that gets hot in the playoffs (I mean, Rodgers did it before in 2010).
There are some concerns regarding Lacy’s Week 17 status after he aggravated an ankle injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he wasn’t able to practice yesterday. However, McCarthy didn’t seem too concerned when addressing Lacy’s status, and it sounds like the Packers are expecting him to play. He’s set to practice today, which means that he’s set to play in this week’s critical matchup against the Bears- don’t bet against Lacy playing.