The Green Bay Packers Will Be Without Four Standouts Against The New Orleans Saints

The Green Bay Packers entered the season with the youngest roster in the NFL.

They needed their veterans to step up like never before.

Instead, too many haven’t been available.

Today will be the latest example, as arguably four of the Packers’ top-10 players won’t be available

Green Bay won’t have running back Aaron Jones (hamstring), wideout Christian Watson (hamstring), left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) for its home opener against New Orleans.

Jones had 127 total yards and two touchdowns in Green Bay’s 38-20 win at Chicago in Week 1. The Packers led, 10-6, at halftime before Jones had a pair of third quarter TDs that put the Packers in control.

On the second of those scores — a 35-yard touchdown reception where Jones whipped linebacker T.J. Edwards on a choice route — Jones slowed down just shy of the goal line and immediately reached for his hamstring.

Jones did not practice Wednesday, then was a limited participant both Thursday and Friday.

“He looked good,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after Thursday’s practice. “But we’ll see how he comes in tomorrow and the next day and make a decision then.”

Watson missed Green Bay’s first two games with his hamstring injury. This week, Watson was limited at practice on Wednesday, did not practice Thursday and was limited again Friday.

“I’m fighting just as much of a mental battle as I am a physical battle with my competitiveness and my wanting to do what I love,” Watson said last week. “I want to play football. I don’t want to watch football. I think I’ve said that already. It’s definitely tough, but I’ve just got to control what I can control and do what I can.”

Bakhtiari played in Week 1, then was a surprise scratch for Green Bay’s Week 2 loss in Atlanta. He did not practice this week and will miss his 24^th game since the start of the 2021 season.

“For me, it’s pretty devastating,” Bakhtiari said. “I think every game that goes by, I’m not getting any younger and what I want for my own personal self along with what I wanna give to this franchise, it’s tough.”

Alexander practiced Wednesday and Thursday, but was a limited participant Friday after his back flared up.

“His back was acting up a little bit, so we’ll monitor that and we’ll see where he’s at,” LaFleur said Friday.