"He's done exactly what I hoped and expected from him, with his opportunity," Adams said. "I'm just proud of how he's gone about it. He's a very level-headed guy, really smart. He and A-Rod have developed a little bit of a relationship off the field, you can see that as well, and that helps.

"He's just a reliable guy. Same guy every day. You don't wonder who's going to walk through the door."

Reliable is the same word Rodgers uses to describe him. At 6-foot-5, 227 pounds, Lazard has a physical body type that's enticing to any quarterback, but it's the mental acuity in his preparation and knowledge of responsibilities that has earned Rodgers' trust in a fairly short amount of time.

In addition to catching passes, Lazard also is proving to be a strong perimeter blocker to help the run game, notwithstanding a questionable block-in-the-back call at Los Angeles three weeks ago.

"I think it starts with his habits. The way you approach your job is very important to your opportunities," Rodgers said. "I'm very proud of the way that he's stepped up. It's never been too big for him, it really hasn't. That's a characteristic of the guys that we've had here who have been contributors, consistent contributors."

It's also what keeps Lazard from looking at Sunday night's much-anticipated matchup between the 9-1 49ers and 8-2 Packers any differently. Oh sure, he knows it's a big game, but it's not really any bigger than getting thrown in for your first major NFL action against a division rival in prime time your team trailing, and coming up huge.

The Packers are going to need performances like that from somebody, or multiple bodies, down the stretch to complement the work Adams and running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams will be called upon to do as offensive leaders.

Lazard won't get hung up on whether, or when, it's going to be him, though. The tight ends are going to get their chances, and he sees the production of fellow receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Jake Kumerow and himself as a collective effort in the big picture.

"We know Davante's going to have his snaps, he's going to have his fair share of balls, and the rest of it is up to us," Lazard said. "Whether I'm getting five catches or 10 catches, or if we're splitting it up three, three, and three, however. We know our role as a combined unit is to make those plays.