Harris ready for matchup against Packers’ Adams
Shadowing Chicago receiver Allen Robinson for much of last week’s game, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris was targeted in man coverage four times (two catches for 13 yards).
Harris may be challenged four times on the opening drive Sunday at Green Bay.
Regarded as one of the NFL’s best slot cover men, Harris is expected to see plenty of Packers receiver Davante Adams.
Adams operated mostly from the slot in last week’s win over Minnesota, catching seven passes for 106 yards and also drawing a 25-yard pass interference penalty.
Adams played 71 of 74 snaps and worked over Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
“(Adams is) a great receiver,” Harris said. “He has great releases (off the line of scrimmage) and great hands. Him and (quarterback) Aaron Rodgers have a great connection. It’s like they’re twins and they have a sense of each other.”
Against the Vikings, Adams caught first-quarter passes for 39 (right slot, post corner route), 21 (left slot, out route), six (middle of right trips, out route) and 15 (right slot, shallow crossing route) yards.
Adams added catches of six (middle of left trips, slant route), 12 (wide left, slant route) and seven (right slot, shallow crossing route) yards.
“Whoever is covering him is going to have win some battles,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “Ultimately, a lot of these games come down to oneon-ones and who wins them and who doesn’t. He’s really developed into one of the top receivers in the game.”
Adams caught 111 passes last year (second-most in Packers history behind Sterling Sharpe’s 112 in 1993) and his 12 red-zone touchdown catches since the start of last year lead the league.
“He just knows how to get open,” Harris said. “It’s going to definitely be a great challenge, but it’s nothing I haven’t done before.”
Davis listed as questionable.
Inside linebacker Todd Davis (calf ) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) are listed as questionable on the injury report.
Ruled out were right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral) and inside linebacker Joe Jones (triceps).
Fangio did not provide a timetable for James’ return but said he has not experienced a setback.
Receiver Courtland Sutton (sore ribs) returned to practice Friday after missing Thursday’s workout and was taken off the injury report.
He experienced discomfort after a weight-lifting session and was held out as a precaution.
“The trainers did a good job of allowing me to take care of it so I can be able to perform at the level I want to perform at physically and mentally going forward,” Sutton said.
Matt likes Mike.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur spent four years on the Washington Redskins’ staff under Mike Shanahan (2010-13).
“He just a huge influence,” LaFleur said. “First of all, just the attention to detail I saw him utilize on a daily basis and having and emphasizing standards. I’ve never seen somebody that can focus (with) intensity as he can. He’s one of a kind.”
After the Redskins staff was mostly cleaned out, LaFleur went to Notre Dame for one year before re-connecting with Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta (201516), followed by one-year stops with Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams (2017) and the Tennessee Titans (2018).
Footnotes.
The Broncos are seeking their 500th win, which would make them the 14th team in that club. … Receiver Emmanuel Sanders’ next 100-yard game will be his 19th, fourth-most in Broncos history. … The Broncos are without a takeaway, but Green Bay has five, tied for first in the league. … Rodgers on Fangio: “He’s a fantastic coach. I’m happy for him to get this opportunity after so many years being a great assistant in the league. I have a ton of respect for the way he’s gone about his business.” … According to Sports Media Watch, the Broncos-Packers game will be seen by 32% of the country in the Fox early-game window.