Coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers claimed that no one cared about him or his team while he was battling endless injury reports.
For that reason, LaFleur isn’t feeling sorry for the Los Angeles Rams, who may need to consult the quarterbacking bullpen before their Lambeau Field matchup on Sunday.
Leading Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford skipped Wednesday’s practice. He sustained a thumb injury on his throwing hand during the Dallas Cowboys’ blowout loss to the team last week. On Wednesday, Rams coach Sean McVay stated that Stafford’s status would be determined by his grip strength and swelling at game time.
That, to state the obvious, is “a significant part of being able to throw the football,” as McVay put it.
“It is what it is, you know?” LaFleur said after Wednesday’s practice. “You just adapt and adjust, just like we do when we have injuries.”
Should Stafford be unable to participate, Brett Rypien is expected to start.
The 27-year-old is a Boise State undrafted free agent. He split two starts in 2022 with the Denver Broncos and won his lone game in 2020. Throughout his career, he has completed 85 out of 140 passes (60.7%) for touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 62.8 rating.
He completed 5-of-10 passes for 42 yards on Sunday while filling in for Stafford. It was the first game in his career when he completed more than two passes without giving up a pick.
The last five individual games, Packers starter Jordan Love has lost by passing rating. Kirk Cousins led the Vikings to a 50-point advantage against Minnesota last week, and they won 24–10. Love fell by 17 points against Derek Carr of New Orleans and 38 points to Jared Goff of Detroit in the two games played at Lambeau Field.
Every player on the 52-man roster of the Packers—who are now shorthanded after Rasul Douglas was traded on Tuesday—practiced.
Four starters are on the list: tight end Luke Musgrave, left guard Elgton Jenkins, running back Aaron Jones, and cornerback Jaire Alexander. All four players participated in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings.
LaFleur shifted the weekly padded practice from Thursday to Wednesday in an attempt to mix things up.
Jones, who did not practice on Wednesday, worked out in a red jersey, which is the quarterbacks’ no-contact uniform.
“No concerns,” LaFleur said. “We made a big emphasis on getting a little bit more contact, and he’s a guy that obviously we all know what he’s fighting through and just want to keep him clean, ready to go for Sunday.”
After practice, this item will be updated with the Rams’ injury report.
WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT FOR PACKERS
Participation restricted: CB RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee), OT Yosh Nijman (foot), TE Luke Musgrave (ankle), and Jaire Alexander (back).