The big injury news out of Green Bay today: Head coach Matt LaFleur said linebacker Zaire Franklin, who was on the injury report Thursday with a shin issue, will miss Week 7 against the Detroit Lions. With Edgerrin Cooper, the team’s starting Will linebacker, already out, losing Franklin means both of the Packers’ linebackers against Detroit—likely Isaiah McDuffie at Mike and Ty’Ron Hopper at Will —will be backups.
Prior to Franklin’s injury, the Packers attempted to split the Will linebacker role
between McDuffie and Hopper, so that both players could play special teams on top of their defensive contributions. With both players pushed into the starting lineup full-time now, Green Bay’s team will need to adjust in the kicking game.
Beyond Franklin, the Packers listed four players as questionable on their final injury report of the week: guard Aaron Banks (knee/toe), receiver Bo Melton (back), defensive lineman Jordon Riley (Achilles) and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring). Outside of Banks, who might have been in the running to start at left guard this week, these players are depth pieces for Green Bay.
On Detroit’s end of the injury report, center Cade Mays and safety Brian Branch, who are both coming off time on the injury lists, are listed as questionable for the Lions. Both of these players are notable starters on the team, and it would be a shot in the arm for Detroit to get them back against the Packers.
