Romeo Doubs might not make Packers trip but not due to injury

Romeo Doubs played at Thomas Jefferson High School, nine miles northeast of SoFi Stadium. That’s important because when the Packers meet the Rams in Los Angeles, Doubs likely won’t be on the field in his hometown.

Beat writer Bill Huber reported that Doubs skipped practice Thursday and Friday because he’s upset with his opportunities in the passing game. Head coach Matt LaFleur officially listed Doubs as doubtful for personal reasons.

“It’s still day-to-day,” LaFleur said Friday after practice.

After Doubs practiced Wednesday and didn’t arrive Thursday, team officials checked in on him at his Green Bay home.

Doubs has 12 catches for 169 yards and no touchdowns this season. Over a longer period, he’s caught at least one pass in six straight games, including postseason, and 22 of the last 23 going back to the beginning of last season. And, he’s third on the team this year with 20 targets, behind Jayden Reed (22) and Dontayvion Wicks (20). Now that Christian Watson (also doubtful with high-ankle sprain) is likely out this week and possibly next, Doubs would figure to get even more love from Jordan Love.

Green Bay has had to adopt a run-heavy gameplan when Love missed Weeks 2-3 with a knee injury, but Love threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 31-29 loss to Minnesota. Down 28-0 in the first half, Love led Green Bay on a furious comeback but also threw three interceptions. Tight end Tucker Kraft had six catches for 53 yards and an athletic touchdown.

If Doubs doesn’t play, the Packers (2-2) won’t be the only club down receivers on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). Injuries at the position have robbed the Rams (1-3) of their two best pass-catchers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. But Matthew Stafford might still find opportunities for his targets against Green Bay.

While the Packers might have the best safety in the league, Xavier McKinney, they also need to get their pass rush back on track. Green Bay is allowing quarterbacks the NFL’s most time to pass, 3.15 seconds on average. Plus, Rashan Gary has 32½ career sacks in five-plus seasons but only one so far through four games in 2024. And their anchor on the defensive line, Kenny Clark, has zeroes in the sacks, tackles-for-loss and forced-fumble categories.

“I think Kenny has done a good job,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said Thursday. “I think he’s one of the best interior D-linemen in the NFL and as this thing shakes out, everybody’s going to continue to see that.”

It might shake out this week against a patchwork Rams offensive line. If it does and Green Bay can return with a win, it’ll be Jordan Love’s first victory since Jan. 14 in the NFC playoffs at Dallas.