Packers’ Jennings out 2-3 weeks with knee sprain

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wide receiver Greg Jennings will be on the sideline as the Green Bay Packers make their push for a perfect regular season. Come playoff time, the Packers expect to have him back.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Jennings will miss two to three weeks with a knee sprain, but is likely to return for the postseason.

“We have three games left,” McCarthy said. “Yes, I would think it’d be safe to say he’ll be back for the playoffs.”

Jennings hurt his left knee when he landed awkwardly in the third quarter of Sunday’s victory over Oakland. Jennings had to be helped from the sideline to a cart and was taken to the locker room.

At 13-0, the Packers can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a victory at Kansas City on Sunday. But losing Jennings will be a significant — if only temporary — blow to a team best known for its dominant passing game.

“We feel fortunate that it is only a couple weeks,” McCarthy said.

The Packers are monitoring several other injuries this week.

Defensive lineman Ryan Pickett and backup running back Brandon Saine both left Sunday’s game with concussions. McCarthy is optimistic both players will be available this week, but first will have to clear post-concussion testing protocols.

The Packers also are missing veteran left tackle Chad Clifton, guard Josh Sitton, running back James Starks and inside linebacker Desmond Bishop.

McCarthy said Sitton is “making progress” on his right knee injury and may practice this week. Bishop is “close” to returning from a calf injury. And McCarthy said he was hopeful Starks (right knee/ankle) could practice Wednesday.

And McCarthy hasn’t given up on getting back Clifton, who has been out since injuring his hamstring in the Packers’ Oct. 9 victory at Atlanta, then hurting his back during the rehabilitation process. McCarthy said Clifton may be able to return to practice next week.

“I wouldn’t say it was too late for Chad Clifton,” McCarthy said. “Actually, Chad was in the training room when I was in there. He looks good, had a hard workout today.”

But the biggest concern was Jennings, and the Packers appear to have dodged the worst-case scenario.

“I have not seen Greg today, but I was told his spirits were (high), he was upbeat,” McCarthy said. “He was in here for treatment, had a process to go through it with the medical staff.”

After making his first Pro Bowl in 2010, Jennings has 67 catches for 949 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He’s just as valuable when he isn’t catching the ball, occupying defenders and creating opportunities for the Packers’ other receivers.

“We feel that we have enough to move forward,” McCarthy said. “Greg will be missed, but with that, it’s more opportunity for the other perimeter players.”

Now the rest of the Packers’ deep and talented group of receivers will have to take up the slack.

“Greg’s a playmaker, and it’s hard to fill in (for) a guy like that,” tight end Jermichael Finley said Sunday night. “But we’ve got playmakers all through our offense. Young guys are going to have to step up, or the guys that already in will have to step up. Next man up.”

The Packers still are loaded with pass-catching talent, as Finley, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver and rookie Randall Cobb all can provide big-play threats.

“I think we know that everybody has a job to do,” Driver said. “It gets to a point where somebody has to step up, I think we can do it. It’s been a proven fact that guys have stepped up to fill other guys’ shoes.”

Still, Packers players acknowledged that losing Jennings is significant.

“It’d be a tremendous loss,” Clay Matthews said. “Obviously, I think he’s an elite receiver in this league, and you hate to see players get injured. Hopefully we’ll have him back soon enough. I’m not sure what happened, but hopefully he’s not out too long.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.