Watson says plan is to play Thursday, LaFleur cautiously optimistic about Jones

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - The Packers are hoping to get two of their biggest offensive weapons back on the field Thursday night against the Lions.

In the locker room Tuesday, WR Christian Watson said, “that’s the plan” when asked if he will play this week.

Matt LaFleur is pumping the breaks a little. “I love his mindset but until we get cleared medically, that’s - that’s got to go through the process. Love to have him out there. If he gets cleared then he’ll be able to go.”

“I feel like it will still be a day-to-day thing in terms of trying to get to a point where I feel as good as I can coming into it,” Watson added. “I didn’t really have any set backs throughout the process. The injury just was what it was. It took a little while to come back from. This year I feel like the mental side is there. I just got to make sure I’m there physically and then I’m good to go.”

There was another slip of the tongue in the locker room. Romeo Doubs said, “we’ll have 33 back,” as in RB Aaron Jones.

LaFleur saying they’re “cautiously optimistic” with Jones.

Jordan Love would certainly love to have his RB1 back out there.

“It’s very good for our offense,” Love said. “He’s a huge playmaker. you saw week one just getting him the ball. It ends up in a good play most of the time. It’s going to be huge for everybody to help out. He’s going to be a big playmaker for us. He’ll probably just make the offense a little big more explosive out there.”

Both Watson and Doubs have been out with hamstring injuries. Jones has been out since the third quarter of the Week 1 game in Chicago.

Watson has not played yet in 2023, so if the plan stays, Thursday will be his season debut.

“I think it’ll be huge. I obviously got a lot of confidence in myself. I think we’ve been doing some really good things in the wide receiver room. To be able to add another element to that and the offense, I think will be huge for us. I’m feeling really good where I’m at.