Packers: Jace Sternberger ruled out vs. Panthers in Week 15
The Packers have ruled out Jace Sternberger and Simon Stepaniak for Week 15.
Green Bay Packers tight end Jace Sternberger won’t be available on Saturday night against the Carolina Panthers. He’s one of two players the Packers have ruled out for this week’s game.
The other is rookie guard Simon Stepaniak, still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last year. The fact he’s been activated to the 53-man roster suggests he’s close to being ready.
Wide receiver Malik Taylor is questionable to play versus the Panthers due to a hamstring injury, but other than these three players, everyone else on the Packers’ injury report is ready to go.
That includes edge rusher Rashan Gary, who suffered a hip injury in last week’s win over the Detroit Lions. He was limited at practice all week but will play on Saturday night against the Panthers.
Packers unlikely to play against McCaffrey
The Panthers also have a long injury report this week and it looks like they will be without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey is officially listed as doubtful on the injury report after missing practice the past two days. With Carolina’s playoff hopes gone, it seems unlikely the team would risk rushing McCaffrey back from a thigh injury.
Guard Dennis Daley, who has started three games this season, is also doubtful due to a concussion.
Five Panthers have been listed as questionable for the game: safety Tre Boston, defensive end Austin Larkin, defensive end Efe Obada, tackle Russell Okung, and wide receiver Curtis Samuel.
Despite dealing with injuries, the Panthers’ offense can still create some problems for Mike Pettine’s defense. Carolina has a lot of talent on this side of the ball with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, running back Mike Davis, and the receiving duo of DJ Moore and Robby Anderson (Samuel, too, if he’s active).
Importantly for the Packers, they are getting healthier entering a crucial three-game stretch as they aim to secure the number one seed.