Tight end Jared Cook injured his ankle in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over Detroit. He left the locker room on crutches and we now know the injury has been diagnosed as a high ankle sprain.
You can go ahead and roll your eyes because, yes, that’s exactly what receiver Ty Montgomery supposedly had in 2015. That injury was ultimately found to be related to cartilage and ligament damage and required surgery.
At best, if this is indeed your garden variety high ankle sprain, we would expect Cook to be sidelined about three weeks. If he has an injury like Montgomery suffered, you may as well write him off for the season.
That bring me to this. Thus far, the Green Bay Packers big offseason acquisition has been a bust.
In three games, he has just six catches for 53 yards. That’s a Richard Rodgers-like 8.8 per reception. Cook was supposed to come in and stretch the middle of the field. He was supposed to be a third-down weapon. Thus far, he’s done neither on a regular basis.
We’re not entirely blaming Jared Cook. Mike McCarthy, despite pining for this exact type of player, doesn’t have Cook on the field as much as he could. Further, Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing anywhere near the top of his game — despite the four TDs on Sunday. Frankly, the only guy who is getting consistent looks from Rodgers is Jordy Nelson.
And as any receiver would tell you, they can’t throw themselves the ball.
It will be just fine if Cook comes back and is a force down the stretch and in the playoffs for the Packers. However, there has been no indication that might happen to date.