Rookie receiver Montgomery could get another long look for Packers
GREEN BAY -- With Green Bay Packers starting receiver Davante Adams questionable to play Sunday, more opportunities could be coming rookie Ty Montgomery's way.
He is proving worthy of more looks after only three games in the NFL.
"Ty's doing well, man," receiver James Jones said Friday before the unbeaten Packers (3-0) left for their game at San Francisco.
Montgomery has been contributing on offense, filling a void at a position depleted by the loss of playmaker Jordy Nelson to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason and, most recently, a nagging ankle injury for Adams.
A third-round pick out of Stanford, Montgomery has excelled as Green Bay's kickoff returner, ranking among the league leaders with an average of 31.5 yards.
The Packers may have to depend on Montgomery in an increased dual role Sunday, though coach Mike McCarthy isn't ruling out Adams from playing.
But McCarthy said Friday the young starter has just a slight chance for lining up against the 49ers after Adams reinjured his left ankle Monday night.
"He's going to have to jump around tomorrow, jump through some hoops," McCarthy said. "We'll see how it goes."
Talking briefly in the locker room Friday, Adams said the ankle was causing him discomfort.
He hasn't been able to practice this week after leaving Green Bay's 38-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday after only three plays.
"Obviously, if I'm going to sit out, then it's going to be in pain," Adams said. "Yeah, it was painful, but just trying to be smart about it for the most part."
But Adams was holding out hope about getting back on the field and moving around Saturday, when the Packers hold their final practice of the short week in the San Jose, California area.
"We'll see how we're feeling tomorrow, and then we'll get a better assessment," Adams said.
So far, the early evaluation of Montgomery's play has been favorable.
"I think the main thing with Ty is he just puts in a lot of film study," Jones said. "He asks a lot of questions, whether it's to the quarterbacks, whether it's to the coaches, whether it's to us (the receivers). He asks a lot of questions, studies a lot of film, and he wants to get better."
That in turn has allowed Montgomery to start playing faster because he has a better idea of what is expected of him," Jones said.
The low-key Montgomery doesn't seem overwhelmed. MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers has given a lot of praise to Montgomery since the newcomer's arrival in the spring.
Rodgers continued to throw accolades Montgomery's way Monday, when the rookie instinctively broke off his inside route with the coverage shaded that way and veered to the outside to get in position for an open 8-yard touchdown catch early in the game.
"I thought Ty had a good second-reaction play for a touchdown," Rodgers said.
It was Montgomery's first scoring play. He has six receptions for 51 yards this season.
The adjustment for Montgomery from college football after a productive four-year career as a receiver and a kick returner at Stanford hasn't been without some setbacks, however. He was penalized for offensive pass interference and illegal use of hands in back-to-back series for the Packers in Monday's game.
Montgomery didn't agree with the interference call for making downfield contact, which wiped out a touchdown pass from Rodgers to Randall Cobb.
"They never call it, but they called it," Montgomery said. "It's the rules. Whatever."
NOTE: Safety Morgan Burnett (calf) is questionable for Sunday. The veteran starter hasn't practiced this week after being out Monday for the second time this season. "He's getting better," McCarthy said "He's definitely closer." Cobb (shoulder) and tailback Eddie Lacy (ankle) are probable for the game.
