Packers Announce WR Benched in Strange Week 11 ‘Coach’s Decision’
The injury churn at the receiver spot is continuing for the Packers, who are badly in need of some offensive answers after having scored just 20 points in their their last two games–both losses–while looking like a shell of the team that scored 28 second-half points in the Week 8 win over Pittsburgh. Tight end Tucker Kraft is out, and without him on the field, the Packers have been disturbingly quiet.
Injuries in the receiving room have not helped. Jayden Reed has been out with a broken collarbone, and Matthew Golden missed last week with a shoulder injury. Two other receivers, Savion Williams and Dontayvion Wicks, were questionable heading into the game but did play.
Things could change against in Week 11 against the Giants in New York. The team made a surprise decision on Saturday afternoon to scratch receiver Malik Heath, who played 20 snaps but did not record a catch in Week 10.
Heath had been active in all nine Packers games, but, the team announced, “WR Malik Heath (coach’s decision) will not travel with the team and will be OUT for tomorrow’s game against the Giants.”
Packers Receivers Getting Healthy
It is possible, then, that the Packers will go into Week 11 with a receiver crew of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, plus Golden, Wicks and Williams. It will mark the first time that all five have been healthy for a game this season.
Reed has been practicing, too, and could return soon.
That’s good news for the Packers as they try to get the offense on track, but it is odd news on Heath. The Packers released no details on what, exactly, is the cause of the team leaving Heath off the traveling party.
Brandon McManus Now Doubtful for Packers
Also on the injury front is kicker Brandon McManus, who has been downgraded to doubtful.
McManus was the security blanket in the Packers 2024 special teams unit, especially after last year’s up-and-down early season that saw Anders Carlson cut and Brayden Narveson flop.
Now, McManus is the wild card, as his quad injury has hampered his consistency and thrown a wrench into the Packers’ kicking game. He was replaced admirably by Lucas Havrisik when he was out in Weeks 6 and 7, but since returning, McManus struggled.
He missed kicks of 44 and 57 yards in his return against Pittsburgh. He missed a 43-yarder against Carolina the following week, in what was a 3-point loss. Against the Eagles, he missed wildly on the final play of the game, a 64-yard try that was doomed from the start.
Davis Mills Identifies Key Factor for Success in His First Start: Can the Texans Build on This?
If the Houston Texans are going to kick on from the 4-5 mark and back into playoff contention, it's going to require head coach DeMeco Ryans squeezing every last bit of juice out of his team.
Over the last few days, Ryans has demanded a great deal more from his talented rookie crop, but keeping this team on track against the Tennessee Titans is still going to rest on the shoulders of backup quarterback Davis Mills.
Davis Mills Talks Moving Around the Pocket in Texans' Offense
Going with Mills once again has been thrust on the Texans due to starter C.J. Stroud being officially ruled out with a concussion, but the reserve quarterback has lifted the lid on some of the scheming that is allowing him to use his mobility and downfield vision.
"We've moved the pockets and ways to get us out of the pocket that are designed," Mills revealed during a visit with Texans Radio.
"Then a big thing that (quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson) has been talking to us about in the QB room is always pushing forward in the pocket. So, the more you can command through the pocket, the defense will sometimes fall off their guy and come up and try to get you. As long as you remain a passer, you can find someone open in your progression."
Nick Caley Finding What Works in Texans' Passing Attack
Of course, offensive coordinator Nick Caley would be remiss to shove Mills back in his box as such; they've clearly happened upon a formula that works for his relief signal caller.
After all, for long durations of the season, Caley and Ryans have struggled to really successfully harness the much more wide-ranging skill set of Stroud. Consequently, the team has lost some debilitating squeakers, results that could have been flipped if they'd shown a little more willingness to try something different.
For as long as Stroud will remain sidelined, just listening to what Mills prefers and serving him within the offense makes a whole lot of sense, especially if he knows when to pick the right option.
"Or you can take off and get the free yards the defense is giving you and get down, Mills noted about staying safe when running. So, I think moving up in the pocket and letting the rush develop and being able to access the defense internally is usually advantageous."
Given the brutal manner in which Stroud got injured when trying to make a play with his legs against the Denver Broncos, you can certainly more fully understand why the coaching staff wouldn't want to put Mills overly in harm's way.
Having said that, Mills' gutsy 14-yard scramble for a score with under a minute left against the Jacksonville Jaguars only proves that they have to let absolutely everything hang out at this stage. It stands to reason that the Texans' imperious defense is going to keep them squarely in every game; so it might only take just one athletic play to push them over the finishing line.
Mills has exhibited a nice little knack of navigating the pocket—all while keeping his eyes open down the field for his receivers to finally work their way open, and that must be maximized to the fullest extent.
All told, only an intelligent blend of motivation and scheme will keep the Texans plugged onto the ventilator that's keeping their entire season alive.
