Three observations from the Green Bay Packers’ 31-23 victory against the Bears at Soldier Field in Week 1 on Sunday.
Jeffery returns
Receiver Alshon Jeffery took the field on the Bears’ seventh offensive play and promptly had a 25-yard catch-and-run on a short crossing route. So his injured left calf felt just fine.
Jeffery wasn’t used in all personnel groupings. But he still played plenty. Jeffery was targeted 11 times and made five catches for 78 yards.
“I feel pretty good,” said Jeffery, who missed every game in the preseason because of his calf injury. “The biggest thing is the more I play the better I feel and more confident and with the conditioning of the game, getting in football shape.”
Royal gets rocked
Veteran receiver Eddie Royal was knocked hard in the second quarter when he was sandwiched by cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Casey Hayward.
Royal, who didn’t complete the catch, was evaluated for a possible concussion and was cleared. Royal was coming off a hamstring injury from the preseason.
“Yeah, that’s’ football,” said Royal, who had one catch for eight yards in his Bears debut. “You take a hit, and I came back. That’s what the game is about.”
Share Events on The CubeJones the playmaker
Packers receiver James Jones, who was re-signed after getting cut by the Giants last week, still has a connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
His touchdown grab in the first quarter over cornerback Alan Ball was the best catch of the day.
“It felt good,” said Jones, who had four catches for 51 yards and two scores. “I’m just going to say that I’m playing with a little chip on my shoulder.”
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