3 Packers W Rs are questionable
The Packers might not know the status of injured receivers Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison until just before the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that all three receivers would be “given every chance to play in the game.” The Packers didn’t have on- field work Friday, when all three players were listed as questionable on the injury report.
The team might make a decision on the receivers after the final practice of the week Saturday, though McCarthy said that it was possible at least one or two players might be pushed back to just before the game.
Nelsonwas limited in practice this week as he recovers from broken ribs. He led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches. Adams, who has an ankle injury, had 12 touchdown catches. Allison, a rookie, has a hamstring injury.
Falcons’ JonesOK
Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones cleared his final hurdle for the NFC Championship Game by practicing for the first time this week.
Coach Dan Quinn said Jones had no limitations in his first practice since aggravating his sprained left toe last week.
Jones did not appear to favor the foot in the portion of practice open to reporters.
“We were pleased with his response and how quickly he came back and had good bounce,” Quinn said. “He ran hard, jumped, so he looked good.”
Offthefield
Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s interim tag has been removed by coach Mike Zimmer, a step toward stability for the team’s offense after a tumultuous season.
The Vikings also fired quarterbacks coach Scott Turner and hired runningbacks coach Kennedy Polamalu and tight- ends coach Clancy Barone. Kevin Stefanski switched from runningbacks coach to quarterbacks coach.
The Jaguars hired Keenan McCardell as receivers coach. He had 499 receptions for 6,393 yards and 30 touchdowns in six years in Jacksonville under coach Tom Coughlin, who is now the team’s executive vice president of football operations.
Bills receiver Sammy Watkins had a second operation in less than a year to repair a broken left foot and is expected to be sidelined until the start of training camp this summer.
Ravens middle linebacker Zachary Orr announced his retirement after learning he has a herniated disc and a congenital spinal condition. The 24- year- old Orr led the Ravens this season with 132 tackles.