Packers’ offense looks to pull together in Randall…
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“Every one of us has been down at some point and we’ve all had to step up and play,” Valdes-Scantling said. “It’s not a difference. I missed some time, Allen has missed some time, Davante has missed time, EQ has missed time. So everybody that’s playing right now has missed time and we’ve been pretty good at it. Next-man-up mentality, and that’s how we approach it.”
The key for the offense down the stretch could be a healthy Valdes-Scantling, who appears to have found his stride after missing five games with the hamstring he tweaked in Week 3 against San Francisco.
On his 75-yard touchdown against Minnesota in Week 11, Valdes-Scantling clocked the fastest speed of any NFL player in a game this season (22.09 miles per hour, according to NextGenStats).
The fourth-year receiver added four more catches for 50 yards in the win over the Rams, including a 28-yard completion that converted a key second-and-14 situation to start the second half.
“He has rare speed, so I think that’s something from a defensive perspective you’ve got to account for,” LaFleur said. “You saw it a couple of weeks ago in the Viking game, just his big-play ability. So, that’s a guy we want to have on the field as much as we can.”
Cobb’s absence undoubtedly will have a trickle-down effect, particularly on third downs, but the Packers have several directions they could go with how they handle the vacancy Cobb’s injury creates in the slot.
Adams, Valdes-Scantling and Lazard all possess the versatility to move inside, while Amari Rodgers and St. Brown also have experience in the slot.
It’s actually a spot St. Brown has been in before, as the fourth-year receiver previously filled in for an injured Cobb during his rookie season in 2018. St. Brown has played in just 21 regular-season games over the past three seasons but caught three passes for 50 yards in the two games before the bye week.
Drafted in back-to-back rounds in 2018, Valdes-Scantling and St. Brown have developed a close friendship during their four seasons in Green Bay. Watching St. Brown battle back from injuries after not making this year’s initial 53-man roster out of training camp has been special for Valdes-Scantling to watch.
If St. Brown is called upon in the weeks ahead, Valdes-Scantling is confident his 2018 draft classmate can get the job done.
“That’s my guy, man,” Valdes-Scantling said. “Obviously, he had missed some time last year (and) with his injury the year before, having to sit out the whole year pretty much because of the ankle. Just seeing him bounce back and go out there and produce has been fun.”
https://www.packers.com/news/packers-offense-looks-to-pull-together-in-randall-cobb-s-absence






