Packers-Giants Thursday Injury Report: Aaron Jones Returns

Three Packers starters were sidelined for Thursday’s practice, including receiver Christian Watson, who is leaving no stone unturned to get his hamstring issues solved.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, who feared he had suffered a season-ending knee injury a few weeks ago, returned to practice on Thursday as the team began its on-field prep for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants.

Jones missed the last two games, critical victories over the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, after sustaining a sprained MCL against the Chargers. This is his first practice since the injury. While reporters were present, he took his full complement of individual reps, including handoffs, footwork drills and pass protection.

“He was limited,” is all coach Matt LaFleur said when asked about Jones’ workload.

After surpassing 1,050 rushing yards in three of the last four seasons and 1,150 scrimmage yards in four consecutive seasons, hamstring and knee injuries have limited Jones to 245 rushing yards and 169 receiving yards in seven games this season.

Three starters did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

One wasn’t a surprise: receiver Christian Watson, who suffered a hamstring injury in the closing moments of the win against the Chiefs. It’s an unfortunate injury for a blossoming passing game, with Watson scoring a touchdown in three consecutive games and coming off performances of five receptions for 94 yards against Detroit and seven receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs.

“Hopefully,” LaFleur said, Watson will be back “sooner rather than later.”

After missing the first three games of the season with an injured right hamstring injury, Watson had played in each of the last nine until injuring the same hamstring against the Chiefs.

“I don’t think it’s as severe. That’s really all I know,” Watson said. “At this point, I’m trying to get back as quickly as I can, and I’m going to let them know exactly what I can do every day to try to push it as much as I can as fast as I can.”

Watson is trying to leave no stone unturned to put an end to the hamstring issues.

“I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to figure out ways and talk to different doctors and do different things to try to figure it out,” he said. “I mean it’s just a full-body thing, so I really got to hammer in this offseason at making sure everything with my body is correct – from the back to the hips to the knees – to make sure that everything is working properly so there’s no stress anywhere else.”

Linebacker Quay Walker and safety Darnell Savage stayed inside the Don Hutson Center for the start of practice, as well, due to shoulder and chest injuries, respectively.

Walker had a game-high 13 tackles against the Chiefs, his fourth game of double-digits tackles this season.

In his return to the lineup after missing five games with a calf injury, Savage had four tackles and one pass defensed.

For what it’s worth, cornerback Jaire Alexander practiced. He’s missed the last four games with a shoulder injury, including Sunday night against the Chiefs, despite practicing as limited participation all week.

Packers Thursday Injury Report

DNP: S Darnell Savage (chest), LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Christian Watson (hamstring).

Limited: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), RB AJ Dillon (groin), OLB Rashan Gary (shoulder), LG Elgton Jenkins (shoulder), RB Aaron Jones (knee), S Jonathan Owens (knee), WR Jayden Reed (chest), DT Devonte Wyatt (elbow).

Full: TE Josiah Deguara (hip), CB Keisean Nixon (wrist).

Giants Thursday Injury Report

DNP: RT Evan Neal (ankle).

Limited: DT Dexter Lawrence, DT A’Shawn Robinson, S Isaiah Simmons, LB Carter Coughlin (hip).

Full: QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs).

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