Packers aren’t sure whether Davante Adams can play vs. Saints

Wideout Davante Adams leads the defending NFC North champions in catches.

It’s been quite the start for the reigning division champions. The Green Bay Packers began defense of their NFC North title with a convincing 43-34 victory over the rival Vikings at Minnesota. Last Sunday, Matt LaFleur’s club spotted the Lions a 14-3 first-quarter lead at Lambeau Field and then pulled away for a 42-21 triumph.

That makes it eight consecutive victories for the Packers over NFC North opponents dating back to last season. In the last two contests, Green Bay has scored 85 points and quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense have amassed an impressive 1,010 total yards – a nifty 505.0 yards per game. The offense has reached the end zone nine times, with Rodgers hitting on 67.6 percent of his throws for a combined 604 yards and six scores. LaFleur’s team has played turnover-free football to date and the veteran signal-caller has been sacked just once.

While running back Aaron Jones once again spearheads the ground attack, Rodgers’ favorite pass-catcher continues to be wide receiver Davante Adams. The seven-year veteran was targeted a combined 20 times vs. the Vikings and Lions and hauled in 17 passes for 192 yards and two scores.

Adams’ status could be in doubt come Sunday, marking the firs true challenge for Green Bay

Adams (via Ryan Wood and Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) injured his hamstring in the second half of the team’s lopsided win over the Lions. And the talented pass-catcher didn’t appear to be overly concerned and apparently told his head coach he would like to continue.

“I know he wanted to go back in the game,” said LaFleur. “I just told him, ‘Hey, let’s see how these next few series go, and see if we need you.’ Obviously, he’s a huge part of what we do offensively and a key member of this football team. If we don’t need him, we didn’t want to put him back in a position to do further harm to his own body.”

So this report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is hardly surprising:

Meanwhile, who does Rodgers turn to if Adams isn’t available vs. the Saints? Yes, Aaron Jones (second on the team with 8 receptions) will get his share of throws his way. But what’s been different about this offense this season has been wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He’s caught just seven passes in two games but has at least one 40-yard reception in each game this year. His seven receptions have added up to 160 yards and once score. And LaFleur’s play-calling has been much more aggressive this year.

The Packers will likely need all the points that they can get Sunday night at the Superdome. Having Adams would be a huge plus. But early on, this looks like a very confident Green Bay offense with its prolific signal-caller (whose 6 TD tosses have been to 5 different players) spreading the ball around.