The Green Bay Packers added three more injuries to their Thursday injury report. Quarterback Malik Willis had popped up as a limited participant with an ankle injury, right guard Jordan Morgan was limited on
Thursday with an illness and linebacker Quay Walker was a non-participant due to a calf issue. Morgan has split time with Sean Rhyan this season, so that injury replacement would be straightforward. Meanwhile, Isaiah McDuffie, who has been the Packers’ third linebacker this year, has typically subbed in for Walker at the Mike position when Walker hasn’t been healthy. Ty’Ron Hopper, Green Bay’s 2024 third-round pick, steps in as the team’s third linebacker when Walker is out.
Bad news at linebacker is not what the Packers wanted to hear, coming off of Nick Niemann’s pectoral injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Currently, the team only has three healthy players at the position on the 53-man roster. With both Walker and Niemann out of practice, don’t be surprised if Kristian Welch and/or Jamon Johnson get called up this week off the practice squad.
The other non-participants in practice today were receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and defensive end Lukas Van Ness (foot). The remaining limited participants were running back Josh Jacobs (calf), receiver Christian Watson (knee), left guard Aaron Banks (shin), right tackle Zach Tom (back) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (knee).
There was some good news on the injury front, though. Kicker Brandon McManus was listed as a full participant in practice for the first time since his injury on October 8th.
In Panthers news, the reason why Andy Dalton was a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice because the quarterback played through a broken thumb last week. Preferred starting quarterback Bryce Young is dealing with an ankle injury, which cost him action last game, too. Carolina right guard Brady Christensen was placed on the injured reserve today, while right tackle Taylor Moton (knee) went from a Wednesday non-participant to a Thursday limited participant. Center Cade Mays (ankle/knee) was still a non-participant.
Banged-up quarterbacks and a banged-up offensive line generally mean poor performance. Hopefully, the Packers can take advantage of that this week.
