Last week, the Green Bay Packers reported that veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb had suffered a core muscle injury and would miss several games after underdoing surgery. The Packers are hoping Cobb may be back for the playoffs although they will monitor his progress and take a wait and see approach.
We got to see the offense operate without Cobb against the Bears and after a slow start, they scored 38 points (with the other touchdown coming on Rasul Douglas’ pick six).
Two more receivers were injured and left the Bears game early. Equanimeous St. Brown was evaluated for a concussion while Malik Taylor had an abdominal injury. We are still unsure of their status for next week’s game in Baltimore.
Davante Adams remains the team’s number one receiver and he will continue to be the Aaron Rodgers’ favorite and most frequent target. Right now, he is one of the best receivers in the league if not the best.
So how will the Packers offense adjust to the loss of Cobb? Here are some ways they have already adjusted and how they may do so going forward.
The biggest benefactor of Cobb’s absence against Chicago in terms of targets and catches was Allen Lazard. The former Iowa State star has struggled with injuries this season and had an inconsistent season until this point. Entering the Bears game, Lazard had 19 catches, well off the pace of the 33 catches he had in 2020 and the 35 receptions he made in 2019.
But against Chicago, Lazard was a bigger part of the offense than any previous game this season. He was targeted on the first offensive play of the game, a quick pass that gained six yards. He finished with six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. He also ran an end around for 14 yards. The catches and targets were both season highs.
Lazard has the size that Cobb lacks and presents a different matchup issue for opposing defenses as a result. Prior to Cobb’s arrival, Lazard was one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets on third down and in the middle of the field. At times, the Packers almost use him as a move tight end, at times as a slot receiver and he can also line up on the perimeter.
If Lazard can return to the form he showed in 2020 and last week against Chicago, he can see a big increase in targets and catches for the rest of the regular season.
St. Brown also figured to get more opportunities to be a part of the offense in Cobb’s absence until he suffered a concussion midway through the Bears game. Like Lazard, EQ has good size although he is not as strong a blocker as Lazard.
St. Brown was coming on before he suffered the injury. He started the season on the practice squad and earned a roster spot by midseason for his strong special teams play and a growing role in the offense.
In the three games prior to facing Chicago, St. Brown had five catches on six targets for 62 yards. He has also run the ball twice this season on end arounds or jet sweeps and gained 24 yards on those carries.
The big issue with St. Brown has been consistency. He was showing signs of being more reliable and assuming a bigger role in the offense before he suffered a concussion.
Unfortunately, concussions are tricky things. At times, you can return to feeling normal in just a day or two but sometimes, the symptoms linger. It is not yet clear when St. Brown will return to the lineup but look for him to get more involved in the offense when he does.
The Packers also elevated Juwann Winfree from the practice squad on Tuesday. Winfree has played in three games thus far this season and has four catches for 30 yards. He may be active on Sunday especially if St. Brown or Taylor are not able to play.
One player who didn’t see an increase in targets against Chicago was Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The speedy veteran had three catches for 20 yards on five targets. MVS ran a few deep patters and his usual underneath routes but his role didn’t change much. His five targets were in the normal range for Valdes-Scantling. If his numbers go up, it will be only slightly as his role will continue to be roughly the same.
Tight ends also saw a bigger role against the Bears in Cobb’s absence. Josiah Deguara made three catches on three targets and gained 44 yards. Marcedes Lewis had four catches on four targets. Both numbers were season highs.
Like Cobb, Packers tight ends tend to work the middle of the field or short out patterns. Expect the tight ends to get a few more targets per game until the veteran receiver returns to the lineup.
Obviously, the team will adjust who they target on a weekly basis based on matchups and who is playing well during the game. But with Cobb out of the lineup, certain players should have an expanding role in the Packers offense.
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