Six players did not train

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Three players returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, their first day of preparation for Sunday's game at the Los Angeles Rams.

Cornerback Carrington Valentine, who missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury and was absent from the loss to the Minnesota Vikings, was back on the practice field. He had limited participation on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, but did not practice on Friday and was inactive.

First-round pick Jordan Morgan, who rotated with Sean Rhyan at right guard for the first two games but missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, also returned to practice. After a few weeks off, this could be a ramp-up week for Morgan.

Both players' participation was limited.

“That would be huge” if Valentine were back in the lineup, coach Matt LaFleur said. “Just because of our overall depth, but I think CV has a high ceiling and we're all excited about the progress we've made with him over the course of the offseason.

“I know he missed most of the pre-season and obviously going out here isn’t ideal. But I think he played some good ball and we can’t wait to get him back.”

A third player was also back. Defensive tackle Jonathan Ford, who suffered a calf injury in the preseason finale, has been designated for return from injured reserve. He was a seventh-round pick in 2022 and spent his first two seasons on the practice squad.

Six players did not train:

– Receiver Christian Watson, who suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. According to NFL insider Jordan SchultzHe suffered a “mild” upper ankle sprain and is “unlikely” to be placed on the injured list. LaFleur also said Watson would avoid IR.

Considering how ugly the injury looked in real time, the Packers dodged a bullet.

“Just talking to him today, I think we got lucky,” LaFleur said.

– Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was inactive against the Vikings with quad and groin injuries.

– Left-back Elgton Jenkins was unable to train due to a knee injury.

How is he? “Good,” he said.

– Tight end Luke Musgrave, who caught five passes for just 22 yards with a long lead of 6. After a promising rookie season, Musgrave was one of the big disappointments of the first four games. He played 108 snaps — less than half of Tucker Kraft's 227.

– Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who is one of only three players in the NFL to have a tackle for a loss in each of the first four games. He suffered an ankle injury with about 9 minutes left on Sunday.

“I think he made a lot of progress from Week 1 to Week 3, and I hope he will as well with the rest of our defense as they get comfortable,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said Thursday. “I think you see what he does in the passing game and how effective he is, but I don't know if you really understand how good he was in the running game – the TFLs, the movement, the speed, the athleticism, the get-outs, the intrusion.

“He makes it difficult for the O-line. Really hard. I think the combination of all the different bodies we have in the middle: there's some really big guys and then some fast guys, and he's kind of a combination of both. I'm a big fan of his. He works, he’s fun to be around and I hope, and if I had to bet, you’d see him progress every week.”

If Wyatt is unable to play this week, Colby Wooden would be in line for his first defensive snaps of the season.

– Veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark completed the preseason practice route but did not practice. He was limited in his participation last week due to a toe injury.

While the Packers are in great shape to start the week, the Rams are in great shape to start the season. Premier receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will not play this week just the tip of the iceberg.

Packers Wednesday injury report

Did not participate: CB Jaire Alexander (groin), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee), TE Luke Musgrave (ankle), WR Christian Watson (ankle), DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle), DT Kenny Clark. (Toe)

Limited: LB Edgerrin Cooper (hip), QB Jordan Love (knee), OL Jordan Morgan (shoulder), CB Carrington Valentine (ankle).

Rams Wednesday injury report

Did not participate: WR Cooper Kupp (ankle).

Limited: DE Larrell Murchison (forearm), CB Darious Williams (hamstring), WR Demarcus Robinson (hip).

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