Packers are healthy entering season opener against Bears
The Green Bay Packers are healthy entering their season opener against the Chicago Bears.
The word healthy isn’t often used when talking about the Green Bay Packers.
But for once, it’s true.
The Packers have ruled out one player on the injury report for Sunday’s season opener against the Bears, second-year Josh Jones. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will start alongside Kentrell Brice at safety.
Rookie linebacker Oren Burks is listed as questionable. He’s been limited at practice all week as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury.
The fact there’s a chance Burks plays is somewhat surprising after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported last week that “it’s likely” he would miss the Bears game.
The only other player on the injury report is linebacker James Crawford, who is questionable with a hamstring injury. Like Burks, Crawford was a limited participant at practice all week.
Even if all three players miss Sunday’s game, the Packers are about as healthy as you could hope for.
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was considered a doubt for the start of the season for much of the summer, but he’s not even on the injury report. In fact, the entire offense is healthy. The only player missing is second-year running back Aaron Jones due to suspension. He’ll be available in Week 3.
The Bears only have two injuries of their own.
The team has ruled out safety DeAndre Houston-Carson. Tight end Daniel Brown is listed as doubtful due to a shoulder injury.
Starting guard Kyle Long is on the report, but it was non injury related.
It remains to be seen how many snaps rookie Roquan Smith and new addition Khalil Mack will get for the Bears on Sunday, but they will both be important players for their defense this year. And possibly key contributors in Week 1.
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The good news is that the Packers don’t have too many injury concerns ahead of the new season. Long may it continue.