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Last week, the Green Bay Packers listed 14 players on their injury reports at some point during the week, not including quarterback Aaron Rodgers — who was of course placed on injured reserve on Friday.
That list should shorten up considerably a week from now, when the Packers begin practicing to prepare for their next game. Several key players on the defense were out on Sunday, while a handful of important offensive pieces were banged up (but found a way to play anyway).
On offense, perhaps no players are more essential to the team’s success moving forward than the offensive tackles. Both Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari were able to play the entire game on Sunday against the Saints, but a week off should do them both a lot of good. On defense, the Packers will have a chance to see Morgan Burnett, Ahmad Brooks, and Joe Thomas return, and they will almost certainly activate rookie Vince Biegel in time for the next contest.
With those key players hopefully back to near-normal health, the team could be set up for a nice run down the stretch. However, that assumes that a couple of things don’t set them back: first, they need to avoid further significant injuries and second, the team needs to find an offensive identity with Brett Hundley playing quarterback.
Here’s the morning news dump for Tuesday.
Packers’ David Bakhtiari no longer worried about hamstring injury | Packers Wire
After playing every snap against New Orleans, Bakhtiari now has a full week off to get that hammy back to normal. He, and several other banged-up Packers, should be back to near-full strength against Detroit in two weeks.
Brett Hundley's bye-week plans: 'I'll probably stay around here' - ESPN
Although most of the Packers' players will be leaving town over the bye -- the CBA prohibits teams from practicing on their off week -- Hundley will stick around and plans to work in the film room with Mike McCarthy.
Packers' playmakers need to get the ball | Packers.com
Rushing for 181 yards doesn't do an offense much good when it can't get the ball into the hands of the individuals most capable of making big plays. In the Packers' case, it's their top receivers, who had just seven catches combined on Sunday.
FedEx Players Air and Ground Week 7 | NFL.com
Aaron Jones is one of the nominees for this week's Ground player of the week. Go vote for him!
Bart Starr’s last trip to Green Bay includes Packers Hall of Fame donations | Packersnews.com
Starr’s wife acknowledged this week that the legendary quarterback’s visit to Lambeau on Sunday would be his last. In doing so, he and his family donated a treasure trove of items to the Hall — including his ring from Super Bowl II.
NFL Week 7: All the hidden gems you might have missed - SBNation.com
Cowboys safety Jeff Heath converted two PATs on Sunday. That made him the first non-kicker to do that since -- wait for it -- Ted Thompson of the Houston Oilers, who went 4-for-4 in 1980.