The Green Bay Packers will return a pair of Pro Bowlers from injury on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Receiver Davante Adams and defensive lineman Kenny Clark, who each missed multiple games before the bye, did not receive an injury designation on Friday’s injury report and are officially good to go for Sunday in Tampa.
Adams, a three-time Pro Bowler, will return after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Clark, a first-time Pro Bowler last year, hasn’t played since injuring his groin in the first half of Week 1.
Adams and Clark both practiced fully this week following the bye. Although Adams was frustrated at the tie, the Packers’ decision to hold them both out against the Atlanta Falcons appears to have paid off.
Matt LaFleur’s unbeaten team could use the boost against the Bucs. Adams caught 17 passes during the first two games, including 14 passes and two scores in the season opener, and Clark is one of the game’s most disruptive interior defenders. Adams should help the Packers’ passing game against one of the NFL’s top defenses, and Clark has a chance to be a major part of pressuring Tom Brady.
The Packers averaged 33.5 points in the two games without Adams, and it’s worth pointing out that the offense went through a clunky stretch after returning Adams from a four-game absence last season. LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers will want a smoother transition for the Packers’ No. 1 receiver this time around.
Clark should immediately boost the defensive line, both against the run and rushing the quarterback. His ability to impact the passing game could be especially important if the Packers are short-handed at outside linebacker.
The Packers won’t have running back Tyler Ervin, who has emerged as a big part of LaFleur’s pre-snap plans as the preferred jet-motion player. Cornerback Kevin King, outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary and defensive lineman Montravius Adams are questionable.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will be without tight end O.J. Howard and defensive tackle Vita Vea, who are both on injured reserve, but receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both ready to play. Godwin will return after missing three games.
