The Green Bay Packers want receiver Davante Adams back as soon as possible, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also understanding of the need for Adams to fully recover from his turf toe issue before he returns.
While Rodgers called Adams “a different animal” who has an “extremely high pain tolerance,” he was clear on this point: “I want him to come back when he feels healthy,” Rodgers said at his locker Wednesday.
Adams injured his toe on Sept. 26 and has missed the last three games. He could miss his fourth straight game on Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rodgers and the Packers are 3-0 without Adams and coming off their most productive afternoon of offense all season, lessening some of the immediacies of returning their two-time Pro Bowl receiver. Rodgers just doesn’t want Adams rushing back and risking a lingering issue.
“Excited to get him back, but I want him to be healthy first and foremost, ” Rodgers said. “And that’s a tough injury to deal with. You’ve seen other top receivers who’ve had similar injuries and it nags them for most of the season. I’d love for him to be as healthy as possible before he comes back.”
All along, Adams has maintained that he wouldn’t rush back out of fear of suffering a setback or creating a lingering, season-long issue. In 2017, Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones battled the injury all year and eventually required offseason surgery. The Packers want to avoid a similar situation.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Adams could be a game-time decision on Sunday night. He warmed up with the team on Wednesday before departing the practice. He was listed as a non-participant.
As Rodgers said after Sunday’s win over the Oakland Raiders, the Packers are better with Adams. The offense has made due, but his talent is unreplaceable.
“Seventeen is a different animal. He’s a different type of player,” Rodgers said. “He’s such a dynamic athlete, great route runner, and then he holds himself to this standard of really not coming off the field ever, and you wouldn’t want him to. He’s so dynamic with just about any route he runs.”
