Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers running towards another milestone

Green Bay Packers is months away from becoming a free agent. Like any player who approaches the open market, Jones has a great knowledge of the best in his position. That means he knows Tennessee Titans’ ass, Derrick Henry.

“I think the world of Derrick Henry,” said Jones. “He’s a great back. He does a lot of good things for his team and he brings the overall value of the position up. Shout to Derrick Henry for helping out all the backs. He’s a great player.”

Jones is not sloppy. He enters Sunday night just 32 meters from reaching 1,000 in the second consecutive season. If he scores two quick touchdowns in the next two games, he will become just the second Packers running back with consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns, joining Jim Taylor (1961-62).

Jones said that reaching the 1,000 yard mark for the second time in his career – this time losing two games due to an injury earlier in the season – would be significant for him.

“It’s a great point of reference for any hitting back,” said Jones, “especially, it’s the NFL and that’s a hard thing to do. So, congratulations to everyone who reaches it. “

Hitting the 1,000-yard mark on Sunday would make this week a little sweeter for Jones, who was named Pro Bowler for the first time in his career when the lineups were announced on Tuesday.

“It’s an honor,” said Jones. “It’s hard work, it’s worth it. In order to finally receive your honor, last year I felt like I had been despised. So, to work in this off-season and get this recognition, this achievement is huge.

“I’ve been left out of many lists in my life. So being on this is definitely special.”

RB Aaron Jones: Reaching 1,000 run yards ‘a difficult thing to do’

Packers’ running back Aaron Jones, who is just 32 meters from reaching 1,000 yards this season, discusses the importance of the milestone.

Olivia Reiner, PackersNews

Injury update

Jones trained with limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday, while dealing with a toe injury he suffered against the Panthers. However, his outlook is optimistic for Sunday’s game against the Titans.

“I was running and I was attacked from behind,” said Jones. “But my toe is doing well. Feel good in practice today. I’m feeling fine, I’m ready to go. “

While Jones must be available to play, the Packers are prepared not to have running back Jamaal Williams, who missed his third consecutive training session on Thursday with a hip injury. The Packers are likely to use the AJ Dillon rookie running back to take over part of the load with Jones.

Dillon has only had one carry in his last two games after spending five weeks out of the COVID-19 reserve.

“AJ had a great week of practice,” said coach Matt LaFleur. “You can see he is starting to catch his breath. Certainly, whenever you do this kind of layoff, it affects you. We are very happy to have you back. He looked fine and will be ready to go. “

Tight end Jace Sternberger and safety Will Redmond, who are both in concussion protocol, lost their third consecutive training session of the week.

Lost foot

With Jaire Alexander playing at a high level, teams are taking more chances against cornerback Kevin King and the results have not always been pretty.

King had a tough game against Carolina, giving up 37 and 20 yard conclusions to receiver DJ Moore, committing a third-to-nine retention penalty that allowed the Panthers to finish the drive with a touchdown instead of a field goal and was signaled 15 yards for lowering his helmet on a tackle.

King looked a little clumsy when he noticed a fumble on the 5-yard line and fired into the end zone. He was chased by Moore and Robbie Anderson and was finally caught on the 47-yard Carolina line.

Secondary coach Jerry Gray was asked if King was playing injured, as he has a speed of 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard run, but Gray said no.

“You could be a 4.4 guy, but if there are two guys chasing you who are 4.3 and 4.2, they’ll probably get you,” said Gray. “And it took 50 yards to reach it.”

King has missed five games this year with a left thigh injury and has been on the report of Achilles injury and / or groin problems for the past five weeks. Gray said he is not worried about King because he thinks the layoff earlier this year delayed him.

“He’s really getting back on track,” said Gray. “And then think that if he hadn’t lost those five games, he would probably be on the right track by now. So for me, I’m seeing what he’s doing and trying to do the right thing.

“He’s getting treatment and doing all these things, but in the long run, I think he’ll be fine, especially for us.”

LaFleur working at Christmas

If LaFleur takes a break with his team, who don’t practice Christmas Day, it may not be for long.

LaFleur smiled when asked what his plans for Christmas were.

“I’m going to try to take some time off,” he said, “at least in the morning. But there is work that needs to be done and we have a tremendous task ahead of us, and that’s what it takes. So yes. I will definitely dedicate some time just to make sure we have everything to go out there and play our best game on Sunday night. “