Week 2 is underway and the 1-0 Green Bay Packers have begun preparing for a second straight road trip to open the season as they travel to the Mercedes Benz Dome in Atlanta Sunday to face the likewise 1-0 Falcons at 12:00 PM CDT.
The trip to Georgia isn’t the only thing on the team’s mind however as several players, not to mention Head Coach Matt LaFleur answered questions about the devastating Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Aaron Rodgers Monday night at Met Life Stadium.
Aaron’s understudy for three years, Jordan Love simply said, “it sucks.” He feels horribly for his mentor and hopes for a speedy recovery but the believes there’s no doubt he’ll come back. Rodgers’ best friend on the Packers, David Bakhtiari said he was “gutted” over the injury. Bakhtiari also spoke at length after another practice he didn’t participate in about the raging debate about turf versus grass at NFL venues. It was on artificial turf where Bakhtiari first tore an ACL. He offered several reasons why the league should have their employees play only on grass and why turf can be more dangerous.
Rodgers made his first comments since the injury via an instagram post Wednesday afternoon. In it, he said, “Thank you to every person that has reached out, called, texted, DM’d, connected through a friend, etc. It has meant a ton to me, and I’ll try and get back to all of you soon. I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today. The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again. Proud of my guys, 1-0.”
As for the Pack’s medical report, hamstrings continue to rule the first injury report of the week. Christian Watson missed the opener in Chicago with a pull suffered right before the Labor Day weekend. He stretched with the team today but worked on the side with a trainer and was officially listed as a non-participant. Aaron Jones was not seen on the practice field after he felt his hamstring “bite” on his second touchdown last Sunday afternoon. Also not participating were Quay Walker, in the concussion protocol and Bakhtiari, given another veteran rest day.
Romeo Doubs was a limited participant, still dealing with hamstring pull that didn’t prevent him from scoring twice against the Bears. Rashan Gary and Elgton Jenkins were limited participants with knee soreness. Anthony Johnson Jr. was a full participant coming off a knee injury.
