According to Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, and comments made by head coach Matt LaFleur in the pre-practice press conference, Jacobs re-injured his knee against the Denver Broncos on Sunday on the same toss play that tight end Josh Whyle was concussed on. On Tuesday, the Packers’ first day of practice this week, Jacobs was listed by the team as a non-participant in the team’s walkthrough. According to LaFleur, Green Bay had a walkthrough on Wednesday and is expected to have a modified
practice on Wednesday, as the team attempts to rest bodies while getting ready for the six-day turnaround to play the Chicago Bears on Saturday.
Packers’ Non-Participants
- RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (calf/hamstring)
- WR Christian Watson (chest/shoulder)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
- TE Josh Whyle (concussion)
- RT Zach Tom (back/knee)
- DE Micah Parsons (knee)
- DE Lukas Van Ness (foot)
- S Evan Williams (knee)
Green Bay is banged up. LaFleur said that all of the other injuries on the roster, besides Micah Parsons’ ACL tear, are essentially game-time decisions this week. We’ll learn a lot more about the Packers’ outlook for the Bears game when they announce game statuses for these players on Thursday. There were no surprises, besides maybe Jacobs, among the non-participants.
Packers’ Limited Participants
- RB Chris Brooks (chest)
- WR Savion Williams (foot)
- T Darian Kinnard (neck)
- DE Collin Oliver (hamstring)
The new injuries here are to Chris Books and Darian Kinnard. The Packers have five running backs available to practice, including practice squadder Pierre Strong Jr., but two were out for today’s walkthrough and another was estimated to be limited. That’s less than great. The only member of the 53-man roster who was a full go on Wednesday at the position was Emanuel Wilson.
Kinnard is expected to be the replacement right tackle for Zach Tom, if Tom can’t go this week, but is now dealing with a neck injury himself. The likely third man in the pecking order at right tackle is Jordan Morgan, who rotated at the right guard position through most of this year before being replaced by second-round rookie Anthony Belton.
Some players who were estimated to be full participants on Tuesday were receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) and defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. (groin). Notably, Cox could be called up from the injured reserve to make up for Parsons’ and Lukas Van Ness’ injuries. Van Ness played last week, and saw his snaps ramp up following Parsons’ injury, but was a non-participant in today’s walkthrough. The Packers have one more week to decide whether to bring Cox up or end his season, as his 21-day practice window is open. It helps his case that Collin Oliver, who also has his practice window open, is still only a limited participant with the team.
Bears Injury Report
Like the Packers, the Bears had a walkthrough on Tuesday, so these injury listings are only estimations. Notably, receivers Luther Burden III (ankle) and Romeo Odunze (foot) were estimated to be non-participants. Odunze leads Chicago in receptions, targets, yards and touchdowns this year, while Burden ranks third in receiving yards for the Bears among their receivers.
Another situation to keep an eye on is with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who had his practice window open up. Edmunds was estimated to be a limited participant on Tuesday. If the Bears get back the two-time Pro Bowler, that would be a needle mover in this matchup.
