NFL
Why isn’t Romeo Doubs playing for the Packers against the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day in week 13?
The wide receiver is one of three players who have been ruled out of the game. Here’s what we know.
The Green Bay Packers (8-3) welcome the Miami Dolphins (5-6) to Lambeau Field in one of three NFL regular season games to be played on Thanksgiving.
The hosts will be without starting CB Jaire Alexander, LB Edgerrin Cooper and also wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Doubs out with concussion
Doubs had been doubtful since being placed on the league’s strict concussion protocol after landing on his head in a fall during the 38-10 win over the 49rs on Sunday.
Every NFL player diagnosed with concussion must follow a five-step process before being cleared to fully practice or participate in an NFL game.
What is the NFL concussion protocol?
After completing the five-step process, and once cleared for full participation by his club physician, the player must then be separately assessed and cleared by an independent neurological consultant (INC), jointly approved by the NFL and NFLPA. Until they receive clearance from an independent physician, players who have suffered concussion cannot return to contact practice or play in an NFL game.
With the Packers tight schedule, getting Doubs cleared to play Thursday was always going to be a challenge. “He’s still in protocol,” Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters in Wednesday’s briefing. “He’s out of the walkthrough that we just had and he seems to be doing all right. If we don’t have him, that’s a big loss”.
With Doubs out, LaFleur will be looking to Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath to deputize at receiver, and hopes his WR1 will receive clearance before the next game, away to Detroit.
The Week 13 game between Dolphins and Packers will be played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday November 28, with kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m. PT.