Aaron Jones returns to Packers practice, Christian Watson still absent

The Green Bay Packers returned running back Aaron Jones to practice on Thursday after he wrapped up recovery from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for Week 2.

In Week 1’s win over the Bears, Jones had nine carries for 41 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game with a hamstring injury. Last season, the former fifth-rounder out of UTEP posted 213 carries and a career-high of 1,121 rushing yards.

Without Jones in the lineup last week against the Atlanta Falcons, AJ Dillon led the Packers running backs with 15 carries for 55 yards.

Although the Packers finally got Jones back, wide receiver Christian Watson missed practice again on Thursday, keeping his status for Sunday up in the air. Watson, who finished second on the team in receiving yards last season, hasn’t played yet this season. Last year, he posted 611 yards on 41 catches with eight touchdowns.

This Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints is the home opener for Green Bay. They’ll host the Saints and then the Lions before hitting the road again to play Las Vegas. Kickoff from Lambeau is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Packers to miss Jenkins for ‘multiple weeks’

Left guard Elgton Jenkins did not participate and is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks after he sustained a left knee injury versus Atlanta.

Jenkins revealed Monday he was diagnosed with a sprained MCL on the same knee he tore his ACL which ended his 2021 season. Jenkins blamed the injury on the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“I felt like it had something to do with it,” Jenkins said, via ESPN. “Foot got caught in the ground and the turf didn’t want to give, and all those good things. But yeah, it was just unfortunate, but it is what it is. It’s football.”

Green Bay favored over Saints

The Green Bay Packers enter their Week 3 matchup against the Saints as 1.5-point favorites. ESPN analytics also like Jordan Love’s squad in Sunday’s game, giving them a slight 53.3% chance to win the home matchup.

The Saints are 2-0 on the year with wins over the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Derek Carr is completing passes at a 63.8% clip with just one touchdown pass so far this season and two interceptions.

Carr’s top target so far this season is 2022 first-rounder Chris Olave. The former Ohio State star has 14 receptions and 198 yards through two games, but no scores yet.