How Does Jared Cook’s Injury Affect the Packers Offense?

Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook suffered a high ankle sprain versus Detroit. It’s said to not be season-ending, but it’s likely Cook will miss at least a month, if not two. Anywhere from Atlanta on 10/30 to Houston on 12/4 is when Packers could expect Cook coming back from injury. Green Bay continues their theme of not having a tight end, but that shouldn’t change their offense too much going forward even though Cook will be out for a month or more.
It was clear Aaron Rodgers ran plays that we designed for Cook over the middle. I’m not sure if Richard Rodgers can be that effective across the middle. Richard Rodgers has amazing hands, but feet stuck directly in concrete. They do need a playmaker over the middle, therefore, the question is who takes the role of Cook?
Couple things to watch for after the bye…They could start running more of Ty Montgomery across the middle with more four wide sets or working him to three-wide sets. If he’s ready for a few snaps a game, Green Bay could promote Devon Cajuste from the Packers practice squad. Green Bay’s seven wide receivers aren’t really working the way many people have imagined. Cajuste might not be ready for several snaps a game, but he could really work the seam for the Packers much like Jermichael Finley. He was very effective in college doing that with Kevin Hogan. I can’t imagine Aaron Rodgers would have issues getting him the ball in the seam.
People shouldn’t immediately thing the Green Bay offense is suddenly ruined because Cook is injured, but they do need to find a solution in the middle of the field as that opens up the rest of the passing game.
Charlie.