Devonte Wyatt Makes Impactful Return to Practice Before Steelers Matchup
The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for a pivotal primetime clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they received a major boost with the return of defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt to the practice field on Wednesday. Wyatt, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in the Week 4 tie against the Cowboys, missed the last two games against the Bengals and Cardinals. His presence is expected to energize Green Bay’s pass rush as they prepare to face Aaron Rodgers on Sunday night.
Coach LaFleur’s Optimism About Wyatt
Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed cautious optimism regarding Wyatt’s potential impact. “Obviously, he’s got to prove it,” LaFleur stated before practice. Wyatt’s absence has allowed third-year players Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden to step up, along with rookies Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse who have contributed valuable snaps. However, Wyatt’s return is significant; since being selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, he has emerged as one of the league’s top pass-rushing defensive tackles. This season, he has not only excelled at pressuring quarterbacks but also fortified the run defense, filling the gap left by Kenny Clark’s trade to the Micah Parsons.
LaFleur acknowledged the solid performances of his younger players, saying, “Those guys have done an outstanding job… Heavy D, he’s been really impactful in a lot of these games, both in the run game and in the pass game, getting pressure on the quarterback.” Wyatt has tallied two sacks this season and ranks second among interior defensive linemen in pass-rush win rate, highlighting his crucial role in the defensive lineup.
Injury Updates Ahead of Sunday’s Game
As the Packers prepare for the showdown, not all news is positive on the injury front. Three players were absent from practice: receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who has been dealing with ankle and calf injuries; defensive end Lukas Van Ness, who is recovering from a foot injury; and kicker Brandon McManus, who has been battling a quad injury. LaFleur indicated that McManus would likely kick during Thursday’s session, which is a positive sign for his availability.
Out of the seven players listed on the injury report, only receiver Christian Watson participated in practice. Watson, who has been gradually working his way back, caught a pass during a routes-on-air period before slipping but quickly recovered, demonstrating his readiness as he approaches the end of his 21-day practice window. There’s a possibility he could be activated in time to replace Wicks for the game against the Steelers.
Micah Parsons Earns NFC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
On a different note, the team celebrated defensive end Micah Parsons, who was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his impressive three-sack performance against Arizona. This recognition marks the fourth time Parsons has received this accolade, making him the first Packers player to earn it since Dean Lowry in 2017. LaFleur noted the team’s excitement in announcing this achievement during their meeting prior to practice.
Parsons’ rapid integration into the Packers defense has been remarkable. “I think he’s done a great job coming in and fitting right in,” LaFleur commented. “You could definitely feel him out at practice just how hard he practices.” With 5.5 sacks this season and ranking third in the NFL with 37 pressures, Parsons is a critical asset to the Packers’ defensive strategy.
As the Packers approach their crucial game against the Steelers, the return of Wyatt and the performance of players like Parsons could play a decisive role in the outcome. The team’s resilience amid injuries and their ability to adapt will be put to the test under the bright lights of Sunday night football.
