an Akiem Hicks if he can play.Three other Packers were notable in their absences from practice on Wednesday, with nose tackle

The Packers didn’t land the all-purpose tight end they sought Womens Kentrell Brice Jersey , but Jace Sternberger offers hope for stability and upside at the position." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesAcme Packing Company homepageHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityFollow Acme Packing Company online:Follow Acme Packing Company on TwitterFollow Acme Packing Company on FacebookFollow Acme Packing Company on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchAcme Packing Company main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTMany analysts expected the Green Bay Packers to add a tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft. Though the wait lasted longer than expected, the team did land one of the rookie class’s top prospects at the position, selecting Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger with the 75th overall pick.Though not nearly as heralded as fellow 2019 draft prospects T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant and others, Sternberger exceeded all of them as a receiver at the college level, averaging a remarkable 17.3 yards per catch during his final season at Texas A&M. Sternberger totaled 832 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns that year, easily outpacing the production of the tight ends selected ahead of him. Much of Sternberger’s damage came after the catch and defenders generally have a hard time bringing him to the turf. In that sense, Sternberger ranks as perhaps the best pure pass catcher at his position in the draft.Yet unlike some of his fellow rookie tight ends Reggie White Jersey , Sternberger lags behind as an in-line blocker. Texas A&M frequently lined up Sternberger out wide or on the wing, limiting his exposure to pass rushers. He might never develop the blocking skills or functional strength to operate as a Y tight end, a role still unfilled in Matt LaFleur’s offense. And despite Sternberger’s robust receiving totals, he doesn’t run particularly precise routes and will have some trouble releasing at the line of scrimmage early in his career. Accordingly, Sternberger profiles more as a “move” tight end at the NFL level.And that presents an interesting dilemma for the Packers. Jimmy Graham, the team’s high-profile addition last offseason, ostensibly fills that role already. While few tight ends make significant Year 1 impacts, the overlap between Graham and Sternberger’s skill sets could make it difficult for LaFleur to consistently get them both on the field at the same time. Granted Lance Kendricks Jersey White , that problem might only last for one season -- Graham’s contract and declining athleticism make him a possible if not likely release candidate next offseason -- but it still could inhibit Sternberger’s development in the short run.Even so, Green Bay spent the previous three offseasons settling for short-term solutions at tight end. Sternberger, even with his faults, offers a shot at stability and upside at the position. Jason Spriggs may be in for a long afternoon on Sunday. Based on the Green Bay Packers’ first injury report of the week from Wednesday, the team’s backup offensive tackle appears headed for the starting lineup and a matchup with Khalil Mack this weekend.That is because starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga missed practice on Wednesday with his ongoing knee injury. That issue kept him out of last Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, and it is now threatening to keep him inactive once again this weekend. If he cannot suit up, that would leave Spriggs in the unpleasant position of having to block one of the NFL’s best pass-rushers on most of the game’s snaps.While Bulaga remained off the field, the Packers did get one other injured offensive lineman back in some capacity Wednesday. That player is left guard Lane Taylor Womens Jaire Alexander Jersey , who was practicing, albeit on a limited basis. With right guard Byron Bell going on injured reserve, the Packers likely need every healthy lineman they can get, and Taylor should see a substantial dose of Bears’ defensive lineman Akiem Hicks if he can play.Three other Packers were notable in their absences from practice on Wednesday, with nose tackle Kenny Clark being the most critical. His elbow injury kept him off the field, a major problem since he is the only remaining week-one starter on the Packers’ defensive line. Hopefully this will just be a rest day for him, as it was for tight end Jimmy Graham. Finally, cornerback Bashaud Breeland missed practice Womens Blake Martinez Jersey , but it appears that it was related to a personal matter instead of the groin injury that has limited him recently.The Bears, meanwhile, had just one player show up on Wednesday’s injury report. That is wide receiver Allen Robinson, who was a surprise non-participant. Robinson’s injury is listed as a hip issue, so keep an eye on that moving forward this week.Here are the full reports for both teams for their first practice before the week 15 matchup at Soldier Field.Packers Wednesday Practice ReportDid Not ParticipateCB Bashaud Breeland (groin/not injury related)RT Bryan Bulaga (knee)DL Kenny Clark (elbow)TE Jimmy Graham (knee/thumb)Limited ParticipationWR Randall Cobb (hamstring)OLB Clay Matthews (ankle)G Lane Taylor (foot)Full ParticipationQB Aaron Rodgers (knee)WR Equanimeous St. Brown (elbow)Bears Wednesday Practice ReportDid Not ParticipateWR Allen Robinson (hip)