Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that the offense is expecting to use more of receiver Jake Kumerow as the Packers hit the stretch run of the 2019 season.
Kumerow turned his one target into a 49-yard catch that set up a touchdown on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
“That’s what we talked about today. We gotta make sure we get him on the field,” LaFleur said Monday. “I think you’ll see more of him as we move forward.”
Kumerow hasn’t played more than 50 percent of the offense’s snaps since Oct. 27 in Kansas City. He has 11 catches on 18 targets for 212 yards and a touchdown this season.
With Geronimo Allison struggling with drops and Marquez Valdes-Scantling stuck in a sophomore slump, the Packers plan to go to Kumerow more.
“We got to do a better job of making sure a guy like Jake Kumerow gets out on the field more often because he has been making plays,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur expressed confidence in Allison despite the drops. He had a pass on third down bounce off his hands on the first drive Sunday, but LaFleur also mentioned his block on the inside linebacker on Aaron Jones’ first touchdown run.
Despite playing roughly 50 percent of the offense’s snaps this season, Allison has just 270 receiving yards on 49 targets. His average of 5.5 yards per target is among the worst in the NFL among receivers.
Valdes-Scantling can’t catch a break. He dropped a potential 70-yard touchdown on the Packers’ first play from scrimmage and only played six more snaps the rest of the way. He has just two catches for 11 yards over the last six games, and his snap counts keep declining.
LaFleur said Valdes-Scantling is a young player who can “really run,” and he’s gaining confidence with the work he’s putting in during practice.
Now, the second-year receiver has to translate that work to the games.
“It’s going to pay off for him, I know it is,” LaFleur said.
In the meantime, Kumerow is going to get more snaps. He tight-roped the sideline and made Ha Ha Clinton-Dix miss after the catch on his 49-yard catch on Sunday. He now has three catches over 20 yards, and eight of his 11 catches have gained first downs or scored.
It’s possible Kumerow and Allen Lazard could be the top receivers behind Davante Adams next Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings.
