Packers Question of the day - Should Nelson Receive Preseason reps?

The mixed signals from the man himself and the Packers' training staff leaves you to wonder whether or not head honcho of the team's receiving corps will even be seen on the game field this preseason.

Better yet, should he?

Take into account the mental aspect of getting Jordy Nelson prepared for the season-opener in Jacksonville. Reaffirming his connection with Aaron Rodgers as far as timing, ball placement and whatnot goes. Physically, Nelson feels ready, despite not doing much full-speed work in his first day back at practice in 364 days.

It's almost set in stone that Rodgers will be on the field for a short, if not extended period of time on Friday against the 49ers. But whether or not Nelson will be as well still remains to be seen. 

Should Nelson see any action in the preseason, or should the Packers shelf him until September 11th?

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (18)

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SpudRapids's picture

August 23, 2016 at 09:55 am

That's for the training staff to decide...

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dobber's picture

August 23, 2016 at 09:59 am

To expand upon Spud's comment, the question is: will he be ready for game action before Jacksonville? He's not had much of any field time, yet, even though he's been working out and conditioning. The counterpoint to this would be Monty and Cook who came off the PUP and played immediately.

I would like to see Nelson get some game snaps just to increase his confidence in his knee prior to Jax, but if he's not in (preseason) game shape, all you're doing is increasing his chances for new injury or reinjury.

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SpudRapids's picture

August 23, 2016 at 12:59 pm

I believe he doesn't need any snaps... Look he has better chemistry with Rodgers than James Jones ever did and Jones was able to come in and instantly gel with the offense last season. I see Nelson being no different and holding him out just gives him more time to strengthen that knee for the real contact. I also don't think confidence is an issue, if he was a young player that had few seasons under his belt I would ease him back in preseason but Nelson is a consummate athlete approaching a decade of NFL experience.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 23, 2016 at 02:38 pm

"Look he has better chemistry with Rodgers than James Jones ever did and Jones was able to come in and instantly gel with the offense last season"

I absolutely agree with that, but Jones wasn't coming off of an ACL injury and already in "game shape". I'm riding the fence on this one. Jordy needs time to get that "feel" back, but I'd rather him get it in the regular season season.

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dobber's picture

August 23, 2016 at 02:50 pm

I agree that he can re-establish a level of comfort with the QB and within the offense without playing much of any preseason snaps. What I'm talking about is the psychological side of it: his trustin that the knee will hold up, or "I just got hit, am I OK?" It's the comfort level with his surgically-repaired knee that I'm talking about. Players report that it's one of the biggest barriers in the recovery from a major injury of this sort, and it's got to happen some time.

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SpudRapids's picture

August 23, 2016 at 04:59 pm

This is from January... I don't think he has any psychological issues with confidence in the knee:

http://gnb.247sports.com/Bolt/Jordy-Nelson-It-wouldve-been-fun-to-try-pl...

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 23, 2016 at 10:02 am

Yes....though the routes run need to be more decoy/protective at first to get a feel for him and the trainers.

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al bundy's picture

August 23, 2016 at 10:42 am

Wouldnt you want to see before the season starts if this guy can play, timing, speed, conditioning, contact?
Hey if he gets hurt you then can make decisions about practice squad etc. Not knowing or worse assuming things, tend to cause problems down the road.

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Since'61's picture

August 23, 2016 at 11:04 am

Yes, Jordy should see some snaps in a preseason game, assuming that he and the training staff believe that he is ready. Due to the risk of injury in a meaningless game, I dislike the preseason games as much as anyone but some live action is necessary just to get some of the rust off prior to the regular season. I would rather have Jordy take his first hit and possibly fumble in a preseason game than have that happen against Jacksonville. Let him have a couple of preseason plays just to get back the feel of ball security and being challenged to make a catch again. He is part of the first team offense and if he is ready he should join them on the field. He is either back or he isn't. Thanks, Since '61

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 23, 2016 at 11:19 am

Preseason Snaps < 10

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Oppy's picture

August 23, 2016 at 11:20 am

Live game reps are an important part of getting ready for the regular season.

However, it's not like the Packers aren't going to carry Jordy Nelson on the roster one way or another. He's a Packer and he will have a roster spot, obviously, no matter what.

Our WR corps is relatively deep, and most assume the Packers will keep more WRs than normal this season.

If Jordy doesn't get preseason snaps (even though I think he should), the Packers will play him in the regular season regardless and he'll work it out. If he's rusty or sore after games, they'll spell him regularly until he's back in football shape.

I have a sneaking suspicion Jordy is in pretty decent football shape regardless.

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IcemanBT's picture

August 23, 2016 at 11:35 am

yes give him reps.....why? because you need to know what he can do after all the rehabbing. better to know sooner rather than later. and he or anyone else for that matter can get hurt at any point in time, during practice, weightlifting, or even doing drills. point is you can't shield him from every danger then toss him into an NFL game thinking he won't get hurt, everytime he gets tackled by another team, do you think they will take it easy on him beacause he is coming off an injury? ah, no...they will be playing hard, and so should jordy!

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Koostyroosty's picture

August 23, 2016 at 11:45 am

If he can practice let him play some snaps. He needs them more for his mental well being, reassuring himself that all is well physically.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 23, 2016 at 12:01 pm

I think it would be good for Nelson got some snaps. Nothing else allow him to get some confidence back into his knee. Getting hit a little wouldn't be a bad thing. Knock off a little bit of rust before the season starts.

I don't want to see him getting a lot of snaps, but some wouldn't be a bad thing I don't think.
That is of course assuming he is ready to go.

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Lphill's picture

August 23, 2016 at 03:09 pm

He needs some game time to make sure all is well with his health, we don't want to find out in week one that he can't go after roster moves were already made. Needs some pre season game time .

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lucky953's picture

August 23, 2016 at 09:41 pm

I don't want Jordy Nelson taking any preseason snaps. If he does not, this shows a lot of confidence from the coaches that the Packers are going to beat Jacksonville with or without Nelson. I know the Jags are improved and the heat is oppressive, but I think this team is going to come out firing on both sides of the ball. They've tasted enough early season woes in the past. Jacksonville is going to struggle to put points on the board versus this defense. The Packers OL is going to create creases for an improved Eddie Lacy to run through, who's bound for 100+ yds. Hopefully Nelson is at full speed and on the same page with AR by the second week versus Minnesota. That will be a MUCH tougher game.

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4thand1's picture

August 23, 2016 at 09:53 pm

You can't play scared in the NFL. Start him.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

August 24, 2016 at 07:13 am

Keep him under wraps so his readiness will be a secret. After we lose the toss and Jax defers to the second half, we will chose to receive. The kickoff will be downed so we will start on the 25. The first play of the season will be a 75 yard TD to Nelson on a hitch and go post where he leaves his defender flatfooted (not expecting his burst on the first play of the season). The safety will be up having to account for Cook down the seam. Welcome back Jordy!

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