Green Bay Packers left guard Elgton Jenkins practiced without pain in his knee on Tuesday and is leaving the door open to playing on Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jenkins injured his knee in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons — when A.J. Dillon slammed into the outside of the knee at the end of a run play — and has missed games against the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. The injury is believed to be an MCL injury.
The Packers have an extra day this week before playing the Raiders on Monday but then have the bye week in Week 6. Given his return to practice on Tuesday, Jenkins could return this week but is almost guaranteed — barring a setback — to play against the Denver Broncos coming out of the bye.
This week of practice will determine whether Jenkins can play against the Raiders or if the Packers give him more time to heal.
“We’ll have to go through the week, see how the practice goes, see how the knee feels at that time,” Jenkins said Tuesday. “We have to go through the week.”
The first injury report for the Packers won’t arrive until Thursday. Playing time statuses arrive Saturday for the Monday night game.
Jenkins was wearing a brace to support the knee during Tuesday’s practice, reminding him of his college days at Mississippi State. While bulky, the brace supports the knee from moving side to side and protects the MCL.
The big hurdle to Jenkins returning? Making sure he can go full speed and play at a high level through a full game to make sure he’s not jeopardizing the offensive line.
The Packers started Royce Newman at left guard the last two weeks. Newman allowed nine pressures, including a sack, over the two games. For context, Jenkins allowed five pressures in nine games after moving back to left guard last season and allowed just one pressure in two games to start this season.