Packers injury report is a concern entering Week 7 vs. Texans

Green Bay Packers, David Bakhtiari (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers, David Bakhtiari (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Packers could be without some key players in Week 7.

After reading the Green Bay Packers‘ injury report for Week 7, I feel a little sick.

Only one game removed from their bye week, which is the perfect opportunity to rest and get healthy, the Packers’ injury report is long and features a number of key players.

Sixteen players are on the injury report. Twelve are starters. The others are Rashan Gary, Tyler Ervin, Montravius Adams, and Equanimeous St. Brown.

The Packers have ruled out two players for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans: running back Ervin and defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster. Three players are doubtful to play: left tackle David Bakhtiari, cornerback Kevin King, and safety Darnell Savage.

Five players are questionable: edge rusher Preston Smith, center Corey Linsley, running back Aaron Jones, tight end Robert Tonyan, and defensive tackle Adams.

The good news is that many of the players on the injury report are ready to go, including cornerback Jaire Alexander, edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary, and linebacker Krys Barnes.

So, where do we start?

Let’s begin with the offense. The Packers will have to reshuffle their offensive line again with a different left tackle, and potentially also cover for Linsley at center. In the backfield, we could see a 1-2 punch of Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon if Jones misses the game.

Although losing Bakhtiari, Linsley, and Jones would be far from ideal, the Packers have good depth at these positions.

The secondary concerns me more. Against a deep Texans receiving corps, the Packers are likely going to be without two starters in the defensive backfield, King and Savage.

Cornerback Josh Jackson played well last week and will need to build on that.

Sunday’s game against the Texans is a winnable one for the Packers, but with potentially a number of starters out, the depth is going to be tested across the roster.