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Packers TE Jared Cook expected to play this week even after chest injury

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Jared Cook is expected to be fine -- and likely will play this week against the Chicago Bears -- even though the Green Bay Packers held him out of the rest of Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks after he sustained a lung contusion in the first half, according to a source.

The source said Cook was held out for precautionary reasons.

Cook caught three passes for 19 yards before his injury, which occurred as he tried to making a leaping catch down the left sideline late in the second quarter. It was similar to what happened to receiver Randall Cobb in last year’s playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, although Cobb blamed his lung injury on the microphone pack that he wore during the game for TV.

Cook may have been on track for a big day given that the Seahawks played without their top safety, Earl Thomas. Early in the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers hit Cook on a slant for 15 yards to set up the Packers’ second touchdown in their 38-10 win. They were ahead 21-3 at the time of Cook’s injury.

The Packers have only one other tight end, Richard Rodgers, on their active roster. He caught two passes for 16 yards, both after Cook dropped out.

Cook missed six games earlier this season because of a sprained ankle. In his first game back against Washington on Nov. 20, he caught six passes for a season-high 105 yards and a touchdown.