Top receivers likely out when Packers, Saints meet this week
Both the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints will likely be missing their star receivers for their Sunday night matchup.
The Saints have ruled out 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas, which means he will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur says it’s “probably doubtful” that Davante Adams will play Sunday night at New Orleans due to a hamstring injury.
Adams hasn’t practiced this week since leaving the Packers’ 42-21 victory over the Detroit Lions in the second half.
Adams has 17 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns this season. He caught 14 passes in a seasonopening win at Minnesota.
Thomas had three catches for 17 yards through most of a season-opening victory over Tampa Bay before he was rolled up on by Saints running back Latavius Murray in the fourth quarter and went limping off the field with an ankle injury.
Last year, Thomas set an NFL record with 149 catches in a season.
• Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones will be a game-time decision for this weekend’s contest versus the visiting Chicago Bears.
Jones aggravated his ailing hamstring in Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
VICTORIOUS FITZPATRICK STYLING FOR DOLPHINS >> Ryan Fitzpatrick emerged early Friday from the Miami Dolphins’ first victorious locker room of the year wearing a tropical print shirt adorned with purple pineapples as a complement to his beachcomber beard.
It was a Dad shirt, which is OK because the 37-yearold Fitzpatrick has seven kids.
“Being the elder statesman on the team, I’ve adopted more of the senior citizen look in terms of some of the touristy shirts, and my waistband is sitting a little higher than it used to,” Fitzpatrick said. “But I do like the color; I like the flair.”
Fitzpatrick doesn’t look like the prototypical NFL quarterback, and that’s true even after the ball is snapped. His style resembled a sandlotter Thursday night, when he led the Dolphins to a 31-13 win at Jacksonville.
Fitzpatrick ran for 38 yards and a score, lowering his shoulder into tacklers more than once. He was a lead blocker on one of Miami’s best running plays, and even had a reception when his pass was batted in the air. That was one of his 18 completions in 20 attempts for 160 yards and two scores.
“Running and trying to throw a block here and there and getting hit, that stuff helps me get into the game a little bit,” he said.
FAMILIES OF RAVENS PLAYERS CAN GO TO CHIEFS GAME >> The Baltimore Ravens will allow 250 immediate family members of players, coaches and front office staff to Monday night’s game against Kansas City Chiefs.
They will be the only people in attendance.
Because of the pandemic, the Ravens have not allowed fans to attend their home games. These 250 people will be permitted to attend through a recent order of Maryland’s Department of Health.
The family members must be living in the same local household as a player, coach or staff member and are required to wear a mask and follow safety protocols developed by health experts, government officials, the Ravens, the NFL and the players’ union. SUNDAY WILL BE HISTORIC DAY FOR WOMEN IN NFL >> For the first time in NFL history, there will be two female coaches on the sideline and a female official on the field when the Cleveland Browns host the Washington Football team.
Jennifer King is in her first season on Washington’s staff, while Callie Brownson is the chief of staff for Browns first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. Sarah Thomas became the league’s first female official in 2015, has worked in the postseason and is now making more history.