NFL: Packers to miss Davante Adams, Joe Barry against Cardinals

Ahead of their clash against the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers have been handicapped as they will be without 2020 All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

On Monday afternoon, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Barry had tested positive for coronavirus following which general manager Brian Gutekunst announced that Adams too was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. 

LaFleur said that Barry is fully vaccinated and therefore possibly could join the Packers (6-1) for Thursday night’s game if he tested negative on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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“But I’m not going to hold my breath on that,” LaFleur added.

Before the announcement, LaFleur talked with reporters about Adams, who is tied for second in the NFL in receptions (73) and third in receiving yards (744). He did admit that there were “perhaps some additional staff concerns.”

Players who test positive or have close contact with someone who is sick are placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

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The Packers are in advanced procedures, according to LaFleur, who claimed all of Monday’s coaches meetings were held online. Whether or not they’ve been vaccinated, all team members must wear masks while in the building, according to LaFleur.

If Barry is missing on Thursday, the Packers are debating which assistant will be in charge of calling defensive plays. Jerry Gray, the defensive backs coach, has previously worked as a defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills (2001-05) and Tennessee Titans (2011-13).

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“I think regardless of how we do it, it’ll be a collective effort with everybody involved and having an input,” LaFleur said, AP reported. “But certainly you feel confident with a guy like Jerry, who’s called it before and has had a top-five defense in this league. So we definitely have people that we feel are capable of getting the job done.”

With inputs from the Associated Press