The Green Bay Packers are dealing with a couple of injuries in their matchup against the New England Patriots. Safety Javon Bullard has been in and out of the lineup, while he’s been looked at on the sideline. Running back Josh Jacobs is dealing with a hand injury, and he’s listed as questionable to return after three trips to the locker room. Meanwhile, the only player ruled out — as of now — is Will linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper.
Hopper dropped out of action with a chest injury and was initially ruled
as questionable before being completely pulled from the game. Hopper was the starting Will linebacker in this game, as starting Mike linebacker Zaire Franklin and starting Will linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (now on injured reserve) were both held out. This forced Isaiah McDuffie, the team’s usual third linebacker option, into the Mike linebacker role and pushed Hopper into the Will spot.
With Hopper out, the next Will linebacker up is Nick Niemann, who is mostly a special teams linebacker. The only linebacker currently on the bench for the team is Kristian Welch, another special teamer — who started the regular season on the Packers’ practice squad.
Hopefully, Green Bay can hold onto a lead with their fifth linebacker playing a full slate of special teams snaps on top of his snaps on defense. At the half, Hopper only recorded two snaps to Niemann’s 28.
