Packers trying to survive without Davante Adams

The Green Bay Packers are thriving at 4-1. Still they could really use their best offensive weapon back in the fold. Unfortunately, Davante Adams might not be coming back anytime soon.

This week, the 26-year-old wide receiver spoke about his turf toe injury. After already missing last weeks’ affair against the Dallas Cowboys — a 34-24 win — Adams doesn’t sound like a man who will be available for Green Bay’s Monday night game with the Detroit Lions. Adams, who already has 25 catches and 378 yards through four games, could miss even more time depending on how the toe responds, according to the Packers’ site.

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“It’s not really something you can just say ‘I’m going to tough through this. It has to be healed, especially when you have ligament damage. We have to be smart about it. We’ve made some strides in treating it, but we have to make a few more.

“The fact of the matter is I’m not playing through anything when it comes to this. It’s not the toughness thing. I’m not interested in winning any medal of honor awards or anything like that. I’m going to get back when it’s healed and when it’s ready to go. I’ll listen to my body and listen to our doctors.”

Without Adams, the Packers are ruling even more on receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Jimmy Graham. So far, the defense has picked up any and all slack, holding opponents down save for the bad evening against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

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Of course, hoping the defense can stonewall opponents each and every week in today’s NFL is a fool’s errand. Just ask the Chicago Bears, who have a phenomenal defense and yet are 3-2 after losing to the Oakland Raiders.

Eventually, Adams will return. When he does, Aaron Rodgers should see a spike in his production, which to this point has been modest by his standards. Rodgers has played in all five games and thrown for 1,307 yards with only six touchdowns and one interception.

The return of Adams will only strengthen Green Bay, which is always established as one of the NFC’s top contenders alongside the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Cowboys and Eagles.

Until then, it is on the rest of a very talented roster to figure things out.