LDN - Sports

Ground game a problem for Packers

[October 05, 2017] By Rob Reischel, The Sports Xchange

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers are on pace to become the poorest rushing team in franchise history. And making matters worse, Green Bay could be without starting running back Ty Montgomery when it goes to Dallas on Sunday.

Montgomery sustained multiple broken ribs on the first play of the game against Chicago last Thursday. Montgomery was injured after being tackled by Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, but carried four more times before leaving on the Packers' opening drive.

"He was kind of lodged into my ribs, and then (the) defensive tackle landed full body weight on him," Montgomery said. "It was like a hammer-and-nail situation, his knee was hammered into my rib cage."

Montgomery said there's a chance he could play at Dallas Sunday. For that to happen, the Packers' medical team must devise a plan to protect Montgomery's left ribs and prevent further injury.

Last season, Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson suffered broken ribs in a wild-card playoff game against the New York Giants. Nelson missed the divisional playoff game at Dallas the following week, but returned two weeks later for the NFC Championship Game in Atlanta.

"I'm going to continue to get treatment," Montgomery said. "We're going to talk about a plan as far as what type of protection I can wear. Obviously, there are rib cages and flak jackets. We're going to talk about it."

Interestingly, Montgomery said he suffered broken ribs during the NFC title game in Atlanta in January. After the Packers lost that game, Montgomery had plenty of time to recover.

Montgomery said he's approaching this week as if he'll play Sunday, but added that he won't rush back.

"I'm not willing to risk my overall long-term health," Montgomery said. "But, at the end of the day, it's going to be up to me."

Rookie Jamaal Williams, Montgomery's backup, suffered a left knee injury against Chicago and couldn't finish. But Williams is optimistic he'll be able to play Sunday.

Rookie Aaron Jones, Green Bay's No. 3 back, had an impressive showing against Chicago with 13 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown.

"Played well. Instinctive runner," Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said of Jones. "Young. Still has work to do. But always liked his run style and I thought he made good decisions."

No matter who plays, Green Bay has to be better running the football than it's been the first quarter of the year.

The Packers are averaging just 74.5 rushing yards per game and rank 28th in the league. If Green Bay continues at that paltry pace, it would shatter the team record for rushing ineptitude in a single season.

The 2005 Packers are the poorest rushing squad in team history, averaging 84.5 rushing yards per game. That squad was ravaged by injuries and was eventually led by rookie Samkon Gado (582 rushing yards).

While the Packers have ranked 20th, or worse, in rushing offense six times under McCarthy, they've never finished poorer than 27th. That came in 2011 when Green Bay averaged 97.4 rushing yards per game.

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But the 2017 Packers will have some work to do to avoid making history for the wrong reasons.

"We need to run the football," McCarthy said.

SERIES HISTORY: 28th regular-season meeting. Packers lead series, 14-13 and the teams are tied, 4-4, in the postseason. Green Bay won a memorable playoff game in January, 34-31, when Packers kicker Mason Crosby made a 51-yard field goal as time expired.

--Wide receiver Davante Adams (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but has a chance to play Sunday. Adams suffered a concussion and spent a night at a hospital following a brutal hit from Chicago linebacker Danny Trevathan last Thursday.

Adams suffered a concussion against Dallas on Oct. 16 last season. Amazingly, he returned four days later and had 13 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns against Chicago.

This time, Adams has the benefit of a long week in which he'll have 10 days off between games.

"The most important thing is Davante is healthy," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "And speaking to him earlier today, he feels great and he just wants to get back to playing football."

--Cornerback Damarious Randall was benched and sent to the locker room by coach Mike McCarthy during Green Bay's Week 4 win over Chicago. Randall offered few details about the incident and used the term "internal matter" eight times during an exchange with reporters.

Randall was back on the practice field Wednesday, but where he now fits in the cornerback rotation remains to be seen.

"Just kind of growing up," Randall said of what he's learned. "Just being a little bit more professional."

--Cornerback Kevin King, a rookie second-round draft choice, shadowed Bengals Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green two weeks ago. This week, King might be asked to man-up with Cowboys standout Dez Bryant.

"Really, it's just about taking care of yourself, taking care of my body week in and week out," King said. "My preparation, make sure it's the same. Kind of just stay even-keeled about things because we've got a good guy coming up and another good guy, another good guy. Just learn how to stack success.

NOTES: LT David Bakhtiari (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Bakhtiari hasn't played since Week 1. ... DE Mike Daniels (hip) has missed the last two games, but was a limited participant at practice Wednesday. ... RT Bryan Bulaga (ankle) was limited Wednesday. Bulaga's only start this season was in Week 3 and he couldn't finish that game. ... CB Davon House (quadriceps), who has missed the last two games, was limited Wednesday.

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