GREEN BAY – When Romeo Doubs last left an NFL field, his future appeared to be uncertain.
Doubs exited the Green Bay Packers playoff loss against the Philadelphia Eagles with his second concussion in less than two months. He’d been back for just three games after his first concussion against the San Francisco 49ers in late November. The second concussion forced Doubs to consider the implications to his long-term health.
“It was a long process,” Doubs said. “Obviously, it’s very unfortunate to go out of a game with a concussion, but I managed to take care of myself this offseason, and I just look forward to my process and progress throughout the course of this year.”
Doubs declined to answer a question about what doctors have told him regarding the potential for more concussions in the future. He also declined to answer when doctors cleared him to begin working out again, though he has had seemingly no limitations during the Packers offseason program.
The fourth-year receiver has become the elder statesman at his position, especially with fellow veteran Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL. He’s returned to a depth chart welcoming two high draft picks, first-rounder Matthew Golden and third-rounder Savion Williams, creating more competition for targets than ever before. Golden has been impressive early, catching a pair of passes – one from Jordan Love, the other from Malik Willis – in Tuesday’s 2-minute drill that closed organized team activities.
Even still, Doubs said he’s embracing his role as a leader in the room.
“That’s just what we’re supposed to do, right?” Doubs said. “It would be wrong for me to gatekeep anything and teach them nothing.”
Doubs also remains an essential part of the Packers offense, no different than the past three seasons. He connected with Jordan Love this spring for their annual workouts in Southern California. At practice June 3, he caught a 12-yard out route near the left sideline on second-and-3, helping spark a touchdown drive in the 2-minute drill.
Coach Matt LaFleur said he’s been impressed with the veteran. The key will be keeping him healthy this fall.
“He looks great out there,” LaFleur said. “I don’t know if you guys can tell a difference in his physique, he does look like a specimen out there. But he does a great job. He’s coming in, and he’s just worked. Obviously, he’s played a lot of snaps for us and has had a lot of production, so I’m excited for where he’s at.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: After last season ended with two concussions, Romeo Doubs looks like ‘a specimen’ this spring
Reporting by Ryan Wood, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
