Cheese Curds, 9/28: Packers’ reinforcements are coming

There appears to be good news coming for the Green Bay Packers today. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Packers are expecting wide receiver Christian Watson to make his season debut tonight against the Detroit Lions, and Aaron Jones is apparently likely to make his first appearance since week one as well.

The return of these two key players would be a jolt for an offense that has been extremely streaky with neither of them playing over the past two games. The run game in particular has suffered without Jones, while the passing game is showing the lack of a consistent deep threat to challenge opposing safeties.

The injury news keeps coming, however; Pelissero is also reporting that the Lions — who already ruled out one starting lineman and a swing tackle — are also expecting left tackle Taylor Decker to miss the game again, which would leave them without at least three of their top six offensive linemen. That could spell trouble for Jared Goff, particularly if the red-hot Rashan Gary gets going against the Lions’ backups.

Check out these newsworthy items and more in today’s curds as we prepare for Packers-Lions on Thursday Night Football this evening!

Why getting Aaron Jones, Christian Watson back is so important for the Packers - The Athletic ($)
Here's why the return of these key players should be a huge boost to the offense as a whole.

Searching for Answers, Putrid Packers Run Game Will Face Ferocious Lions - Sports Illustrated
In particular, Jones' expected return should help get the run game back on track, even against a Lions defense that has been especially good in that area.

Rashan Gary, Preston Smith enjoying their edge-rush reunion | Packers.com
Gary's return -- and his big game on Sunday -- have the duo looking resurgent as they lead a ferocious pass rush.

Jordan Love? Matt LaFleur? Who's the face of Packers in post-Aaron Rodgers era? - ESPN
After three decades with Brett Favre and Rodgers fronting the franchise, will Love or LaFleur fill the void? Do they even need a face of the Packers?

Francona's beloved scooter stolen, stripped as Cleveland's manager gets ready to say goodbye to game | AP News
Terry Francona won’t be riding off on his beloved scooter after all. Just hours before his final game as Cleveland’s manager, Francona revealed that the motorized scooter he has ridden to and from Progressive Field for the past several seasons was stolen for the SECOND (!) time.