The Green Bay Packers have officially ruled out three players for action against the Cincinnati Bengals: tackle Anthony Belton (ankle), receiver Christian Watson (knee) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt
(knee). Watson is currently still a member of the physically unable to perform list, so he’s not a member of the 53-man roster during this practice window period of his return.
Without Wyatt, which was expected, the Packers will once again have a thin defensive tackle room. Their only backups going into the game will be undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse, who had a 20 grade from PFF against the Dallas Cowboys, and Warren Brinson, a rookie who has been a healthy scratch in every game up to this point.
Players listed as questionable by the team are left guard Aaron Banks (groin/knee), cornerback Nate Hobbs (concussion), kicker Brandon McManus (quadricep), offensive lineman Jacob Monk (hamstring), right tackle Zach Tom (oblique/back) and left tackle Rasheed Walker (quadricep). If even one more offensive lineman misses this game, beyond Belton, the Packers will need to call up someone to their gameday roster to have eight linemen against the Bengals. Their options are Monk, who is currently on the injured reserve list, or practice squadders Lecitus Smith or Dalton Cooper.
Hobbs’ injury is also a concern, as it’s been almost two full weeks that he’s been in the concussion protocol. Without Hobbs, Carrington Valentine will start. That’s less of a concern than if Bo Melton, a receiver convert, is one injury away from having to play outside cornerback against the combination of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
If you’re looking for good news on the injury report, Walker, who missed all of Thursday’s practice with his quadricep injury, returned to being a limited participant on Friday. None of the players who are listed as questionable or out by the Packers this week went through a full participation practice in the lead-up to this game. Even receiver and kick returner Savion Williams (groin) was a limited participant in every practice this week, but was not given a gameday status by Green Bay.
On the Bengals’ end of things, no players were listed out versus the Packers and only one, defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle), was listed as doubtful. Four Cincinnati players are questionable, though: receiver Ja’Marr Chase (illness), guard Dylan Fairchild (knee), offensive lineman Matt Lee (knee) and guard Lucas Patrick (calf). Both Fairchild and Patrick are the Bengals’ preferred starters at the guard position. Chase popped up with an illness on Friday and was a non-participant in that practice.
