Packers WR Montgomery gets his first look with starting lineup
Now that the dust has settled after Jordy Nelson's season-ending knee injury, the Green Bay Packers can start looking for his replacement at wide receiver. On Tuesday, the team fielded Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and third-round rookie Ty Montgomery in a three-receiver set, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.
On the first snap of team, Packers went 3 WRs with Davante Adams and Ty Montgomery outside, Randall Cobb in the slot. #Packers
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 25, 2015
Montgomery is closer in comparison to Cobb than Nelson, so it'll be interesting to see how he holds up on the outside. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy believes the 6-foot, 216-pound pass-catcher is talented enough to line up anywhere, according to the team's official Twitter account.
McCarthy: Ty (Montgomery) has the ability to play inside & outside. It's important to get him reps out there. #PackersCamp
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 26, 2015
Nelson caught 98 passes for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. It would be ludicrous to expect Montgomery to replace that production as a rookie. A more reasonable expectation would be for Adams to take over as the No. 1 outside receiving threat, while Montgomery aims for an impact similar to the one Adams had as a rookie last year.
Cobb is the key to holding the receiving corps together. He is the most experienced member of this threesome and must take on Nelson's leadership role. Without him, the Packers have no proven commodity at the position.
Although the loss of Nelson hurts, there's still no need to panic. The Packers now have an opportunity to watch their young receivers develop.
(h/t @RobDemovsky, Green Bay Packers)
