Watch: Packers RB Aaron Jones at Friday’s Practice

Get some of the flavor of the final practice of the week as the Green Bay Packers get ready for Sunday’s home opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Sep 22, 2023 1:59 PM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – All eyes were on Green Bay running back Aaron Jones at the start of practice on Friday.

One of the team’s marquee players, Jones suffered a hamstring injury during the season-opening win at the Chicago Bears and was inactive for last week’s loss at the Atlanta Falcons.

During the portion of practice open to reporters, Jones went through the opening stretch but did not go out for the start of practice. Instead, he stayed inside the Don Hutson Center for additional stretching.

(Jones is the focal point in the accompanying video.)

In about 2 1/2 quarters against the Bears, Jones got the ball 11 times and gained 127 yards and scored two touchdowns. AJ Dillon (28 carries for 74 yards, three catches for 25 yards), Patrick Taylor (six carries for 23 yards) and Emanuel Wilson (three carries for 5 yards) have a combined 40 rushes and receptions for 127 yards and zero touchdowns.

Moreover, Jones’ 85 yards after the catch are more than every receiver combined.

“I feel more optimistic about it, but we’ll see going into the week,” quarterback Jordan Love, who almost led the Packers to victory at Atlanta without Jones and Christian Watson, said on Wednesday. “I think guys like Christian, Aaron Jones, those are key pieces that the offense might look a little different when they’re back. But, yeah, I’m optimistic we’ll be able to get them back this week or next week. We’ll see; play it day by day.”