Aaron Rodgers 'Put in a Good Word' for WR Allen Lazard to Play Before TD Catch

With the Green Bay Packers dealing with a depleted receiving corps during Monday night's game against the Detroit Lions, quarterback Aaron Rodgers saw it as an opportunity for Allen Lazard to show what he can do. 

"I may have put in a good word there in the fourth quarter to get him some opportunities," Rodgers said after a 23-22 come-from-behind victory, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

On Monday, Davante Adams was held out due to turf toe and Geronimo Allison left the game in the third quarter due to a chest injury and a possible concussion. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (leg) was also shaken up during the contest. 

According to Demovsky, Rodgers asked receivers coach Alvis Whitted "if [No. 13] could come in for a little bit."

An undrafted free agent out of Iowa State in 2018, Lazard entered the fourth quarter on Monday night with one catch and seven yards in his career. He helped Green Bay cut the deficit to two points with not only his first reception of the season, but his first career touchdown:

Then, with the game on the line, Lazard came up clutch on the Packers' final drive. As Rodgers led the team 77 yards to move into position for the game-winning field goal, Lazard hauled in three receptions for 30 yards. 

He finished the game with four catches for 65 yards and a score.

Lazard was initially waived and signed to the practice squad following the preseason. However, he was signed to the active roster on Sept. 4. Even without much NFL experience, the second-year wideout did not lack confidence when communicating with a two-time NFL MVP.

"A guy basically his second time playing [is] telling me what routes he wants," Rodgers said, per Mike Spofford of Packers.com. "I felt pretty good about where he was at confidence-wise."

Lazard's breakout performance came at the perfect time. The victory allows Green Bay (5-1) to maintain sole possession of first place in the NFC North. The other three teams in the division all have two losses.