Packers look for boost from Jennings

GREEN BAY - Greg Jennings appears ready to return to game action for the first time since week four after his operation for a sports hernia. Jennings has spent the last eight weeks on the sideline and there will likely be some rust. Playing wide receiver in the NFL isn’t like riding a bike after all, but Jennings and Aaron Rodgers have been working hard to make his transition back at seamless as possible.

Jennings told the media Thursday, "I'm still chomping at the bit, feeling good, making strides everyday as far as getting reacclimated to the offense and just getting in and out of the huddle, seeing the coverages, running routes, just being more comfortable.”

Aaron Rodgers said that he’s not worried about timing because he and Greg have played together for so long, but there are little things they’ve been doing.

"I've been trying to go to him a little more in some of the walk through stuff where it's actually quick tempo, looking for him just making sure we're on the same page,” said Rodgers.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said it’s the subtle things in Jennings and Rodgers relationship that will allow them to reconnect quickly.

“He's one of those receivers whose body language is easy to read and adjust to and Aaron has great confidence to throw with him in anticipation,” McCarthy said.

The popular thought this season has been that the cover 2 defense is the key to stopping the Packers. Jennings says it won’t be his presence that will allow the Packers to exploit the weaknesses of the cover 2. Rather it’s how the offense actually executed.

"Just making sure that we hold the corners and make sure they play honest,” said Jennings. He went on to explain, “Hold the corners (with your route) so they can't just run underneath everything and have free reign."

According to Aaron Rodgers just having Jennings on the field will make a difference in how opposing defenses play.

"Just the name recognition alone merits respect,” said Rodgers. Rodgers quipped, “We're not going to see any more split safety than we've already been seeing."

Jennings return will theoretically mean fewer targets for his fellow receivers but they’re still excited to have #85 back in the fold.

"I think he's going to bring a boost to the team,” said Jordy Nelson. “He's going to come in and obviously he's a playmaker, he's going to make plays and that gives us another threat on the field."

James Jones agreed, "He still knows how to catch, he still knows how to run routes, he's still fast, he's still quick and all that stuff so we expect to see Greg."

How many snaps we see #85 take against the Vikings will be determined by how his body reacts through the week but Jennings said he’s ready to be turned loose.