NFL PLAYER NEWS

Packers call on WRs to step up with Nelson down

The Sports Xchange

August 25, 2015 at 11:25 am.

Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy walks on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy walks on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Mike McCarthy said the Green Bay Packers have one goal for 2015 and the mission is unchanged in the wake of wide receiver Jordy Nelson’s season-ending right knee injury.

“These things happen,” McCarthy said Tuesday. “It’s a blow to our football team, but nothing’s changed. Our goal hasn’t changed.”

The formation, and roles within the Packers’ vaunted offense, could shift. Randall Cobb, re-signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, is expected to remain in the slot wide receiver role. If the Packers utilize three-wide receiver formations as the base offense even without Nelson, McCarthy would be calling on Davante Adams to fill Nelson’s sizeable shoes.

“Jordy’s still here,” McCarthy said. “He’ll do everything he possibly can to help us as a football team. It’s a training camp of opportunity and (the other receivers) need to take advantage of it.”

The Packers drafted Ty Montgomery in April. Adams has three catches for 17 yards in the first two preseason games.

A portion of the targets quarterback Aaron Rodgers had given Nelson – team-high 151 led to 98 receptions for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014 – could slide to tight end Richard Rodgers, who has four receptions and a 21-yard touchdown catch in two preseason games and was hailed last week by his quarterback.

Cobb and Adams were joined by Jeff Janis in the team’s three-wide sets at Pittsburgh on Sunday when Cobb was lost for the season.

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