The Green Bay Packers Get Three Players Off The PUP List

The Green Bay Packers got some surprisingly good news Sunday.

Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, standout tight end Robert Tonyan and rookie second round wide receiver Christian Watson were all removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list.

That means those three players cannot start the season on the PUP list. Had they started the season on PUP, they would have been required to miss the first four games of the year.

While Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur issued caution — and the players would only do individual drills for now — this is a major step back to the field for a trio that figures to have integral roles on offense.

“It’s just like the next step in the process,” LaFleur said. “It’s not like they’re going to be out there in team drills. But they’ll do some individual and with them being back, now it allows you to do some walkthroughs which is going to be obviously very beneficial for, especially for a guy who hasn’t played in the National Football League like Christian. So, it’ll be great to get ‘em out there for some of the walkthroughs.”

Jenkins, who tore his ACL in late-November, ranks among the most versatile linemen in team history. In fact in 2020, Jenkins became the first Green Bay offensive lineman to start a game at guard, center and tackle in the same season since the 1970 merger.

Jenkins took over for David Bakhtiari at left tackle last season, and excelled before his own injury. In eight starts, Jenkins allowed just 1 ½ “bad” runs and 13 pressures (a combination of sacks, knockdowns and hurries).

If Jenkins can play Week 1 in Minnesota, he’ll certainly solidify an offensive line that has been up and down this summer.

“I think Elgton has done everything everybody has asked him to do in regards to the rehab process,” LaFleur said. “He’s been super disciplined and he’s putting the work in. That’ll be a big boost when he is fully cleared to help us out. Because there’s not many guys who are, No. 1, as talented as he is but also as versatile as he is. We can put him anywhere we want him on that line.”

Tonyan, who tore his ACL on Oct. 28 last season, would provide a huge boost to an offense that’s lacking a proven tight end.

Tonyan had a breakout 2020 campaign in which he caught 52 passes for 586 yards. Tonyan also had 11 touchdowns, which tied Paul Coffman’s record for most TD catches in a season by a Packers tight end.

Tonyan’s numbers were down in 2021, when he caught 18 passes for 204 yards and two TDs before injuring his knee. But his return would be a huge boost for a group that includes unproven Tyler Davis and Josiah Deguara, as well as 38-year-old Marcedes Lewis.

Watson underwent minor knee surgery after Green Bay’s offseason program ended. And while Watson is behind after missing nearly three weeks of training camp, he possesses as much upside as any wideout on the roster.

The Packers traded a pair of second round picks — No. 53 and 59 — for pick No. 34 in April’s draft. Green Bay then selected Watson, a physically gifted, but green-as-grass wideout from North Dakota State.

The 6-foot-5, 208-pound Watson ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.32 seconds, giving him the size-speed ratio scouts go crazy for. Watson also possesses an enormous catch radius, huge hands (10 1/8”) and outstanding ball skills.

While there are no guarantees Jenkins, Tonyan and Watson will be ready for the opener, they took a step in that direction Sunday.

“It is the next step, and we’re excited about it,” LaFleur said. “I think the guys are really excited about it as well, and it’s just going to be, they’re going to feel more a part of it and, you know … but we’re still going to make sure that we do it the right way. Because you’re talking about significant injuries and certainly their health and safety is at the forefront of every decision we make.”