The Green Bay Packers ruled out five players for Sunday's Week 9 showdown with the New England Patriots. Matt LaFleur's team will be without center Sean Rhyan, right guard Travis Glover, linebacker Zaire Franklin, tight end Josh Whyle and edge rusher Micah Parsons when taking on the defending AFC champs at Gillette Stadium.
Parsons isn't on the 53-man roster, but because he opened his 21-day practice window, the Packers were required to rule him out on the final injury report. The All-Pro edge rusher practiced on Wednesday for the first time since his season-ending knee injury last December. The plan, based on the opening of his 21-day window this week, would be for Parsons to ramp in practice over the next two weeks and then make his return
to game field against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 25.
Rhyan, the starter at center, suffered a high ankle sprain against the Detroit Lions and will miss his second straight game. John Williams replaced him as the starting center last week. The Packers didn't place Rhyan on injured reserve, which requires missing four games, so it's possible he has a chance to return next week or against the Rams in Week 12.
Glover will miss his second straight game with a knee injury suffered in Detroit. Last week, the Packers moved veteran Laken Tomlinson from left guard to right guard, but Kevin Zeitler and Mekhi Becton are other options as the offensive line continues to search for its best five.
Franklin suffered a hairline fracture in his shin during a Thursday practice in Week 7. He will miss his third straight game, but Matt LaFleur said Franklin was getting close -- suggesting he could return to practice at some point next week and have a chance to play against the Minnesota Vikings.
Whyle suffered a concussion against the Carolina Panthers and remains in the league's protocol. He did not practice at all this week. Tucker Kraft, Mark Redman and Jonnu Smith are the three other tight ends on the 53-man roster.
With five players ruled out, including four players from the active roster, the Packers will need to make one more player inactive come Sunday.
The Packers also listed running backs Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd and cornerback Keisean Nixon as questionable to play. Brooks is designated to return from injured reserve, while Lloyd was an add to the injury report on Thursday with a new knee injury. Nixon didn't practice Thursday because of a groin injury but returned Friday.
The Patriots ruled out starting receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Seven others are questionable, including tight end Hunter Henry, cornerback Carlton Davis III and safety Kevin Byard III.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers rule out 5 players, including Micah Parsons, for Week 9 vs. Patriots
