Green Bay Packers activate veteran wide receiver off injured reserve

Rejoice Packers fans, Randall Cobb is back and ready for the playoffs this weekend. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transaction Thursday.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said yesterday that he expected Cobb to return from his groin injury. He also had surgery on his core after leaving their week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams. He’s since had surgery and now it seems he’s made a full recovery.

LaFleur gave Cobb the “green light” after seeing his progression in practice over the last week or so.

Cobb will rejoin the receiving core that features Davante Adams (1,553 receiving yards) and Allen Lazard (513 yards) as quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ top three targets.

This is Cobb’s ninth season with Rodgers and the Packers. He has since had stints playing for the Cowboys and Texans, but made his return to Green Bay this season, much to Rodgers’ liking.

In July, Gutekunst said that bringing Cobb was a “very important thing to Rodgers.” We’re all too familiar with the Rodgers drama that took place in the offseason, and the Packers’ front office was willing to do whatever necessary to keep him happy, which was a major reason for inquiring for the trade in the first place.

“I think that’s a big part of it,” Gutekunst said one day after completing a trade with the Houston Texans to acquire Cobb. “Obviously without Aaron, I don’t think we would probably be pursuing that. Randall’s still a really good player. Seeing him last night just kind of reminded me what an impact he’ll have in our locker room and for our football team.”

Cobb has hauled in 28 of 39 targets for 375 yards and five touchdowns through 11 games played this season.

“I was waiting, hoping for another opportunity to come back,” Cobb said after learning of his trade this offseason. “That didn’t happen [two years ago], but we’re here, and I’m back.”

That quote goes hand-in-hand with his current status. He had to miss over six weeks with an injury. He’s back and ready to help lead his fellow cheeseheads to a Super Bowl.