GREEN BAY – Every year, it seems, NFL teams talk about how their bye week couldn't have come at a better time.
In the Packers' case, it might actually be true.
The Week 10 break – Green Bay's first anywhere near the midseason mark since 2019 – not only gave the Packers a chance to recalibrate after a 6-3 start but also afforded a banged-up roster a chance to heal before a critical second half.
All but defensive lineman Colby Wooden (shoulder) were on the practice field Wednesday, including safety Evan Williams (hamstring), center Josh Myers (wrist) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee).
Tight end Tucker Kraft continued to practice in full but finally as able to shed the red non-contact jersey he's worn for most of the season.
Running back MarShawn Lloyd also practiced for the first time since injuring his ankle against Indianapolis in Week 2, opening the rookie's 21-day window to return from injured reserve.
"I feel like our bye week came with perfect timing as a team," defensive lineman Rashan Gary said. "We're still healthy, still got a lot of great football to play and I love the mindset that's coming back (this week). … We've got to keep locked in for this big opportunity this week."
Adding to the optimism was quarterback Jordan Love (groin) being a full participant on Wednesday, a positive sign after he barely practiced leading up to the Detroit game.
The Packers were without Williams, Alexander and Myers in that game, which had a domino effect on both Green Bay's secondary and offensive line.
While limited Wednesday, Williams said he felt good in his return to the practice field. The rookie fourth-round pick out of Oregon tweaked his hamstring before the Packers' 30-27 win over Jacksonville on Oct. 27.
Prior to that, the 23-year-old safety had emerged as one of the league's top young defensive performers in the first half of the year, recording 27 tackles, three passes defensed, an interception and forced fumble.
Williams is one of only three NFL rookies with an INT and a forced fumble this season, joining Tampa Bay defensive back Tykee Smith and San Francisco defensive back Renardo Green.
"Just doing my job and just trying to do it at the most elite of levels," said Williams about the key to his early success. "Just been trying to harp in on my keys on the little things, alignment, stances, so that you're ready pre-snap. When the bullets are flying, I'm letting my instincts take over and doing my job."
Myers saw his consecutive regular-season games played streak end at 42 due to a wrist injury he's been battling since the Packers' 24-22 win over the Houston Texans in Week 7.
Left guard Elgton Jenkins made his first start at center since the 2020 season, leading to rookie first-round pick Jordan Morgan then making his first NFL start at left guard against Detroit.
Myers, who was still limited Wednesday, said he's feeling better but plans to take the full week to see if a return this Sunday against Chicago is feasible.
"I was in pretty rough shape, so it definitely helped," said Myers of the bye week. "I'm hopeful (for Sunday), but I don't want to say that yet. I was limited today. I want to make sure. I don't want to just say that."
In addition to a 10-0 mark against the Bears during Head Coach Matt LaFleur's tenure as head coach, the Packers have been a top-performing team coming out of the bye week under LaFleur.
Factoring into Green Bay's 28-11 mark after the bye the past five seasons was the Packers winning six of their last eight regular-season games last year to propel them back into the playoffs.
From there, the Packers became the first No. 7 seed to win during wild card weekend since the league shifted to a 14-team postseason format in 2020.
Green Bay is sitting in a more comfortable spot through its first nine games than the 3-6 start the team experienced last year. However, the Packers remain hungry as ever to finish strong.
"Every year is a new year, but we know what it takes to take those jumps," receiver Jayden Reed said. "Just hone in on the little things. If we don't beat ourselves, we'll do great. We showed it last year. It's no different. We got a lot of the same guys, and we can do it again."
