Unsurprisingly, the Green Bay Packers have ruled out cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper for Sunday's huge game against the San Francisco 49ers. Neither player practiced this week.
Alexander revealed he is dealing with a tear in his PCL, which he "reaggravated" in last week's win over the Chicago Bears. Losing Alexander and Cooper against a Kyle Shanahan-led offense is a nightmare scenario, but not necessarily quite as scary as once feared.
The 49ers have ruled out quarterback Brock Purdy due to a shoulder injury. Former sixth-round pick Brandon Allen, who hasn't completed a pass in the NFL since Week 9 of the 2022 season, will start.
San Francisco has other significant injury concerns, ruling out star pass-rusher Nick Bosa and listing Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams as questionable. At least two of the Niners' three most important players won't play, and Williams' status remains uncertain.
Green Bay's game plan changes. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley can stack the box and focus more attention on stopping Christian McCaffrey. If Williams isn't lined up at left tackle, life will become even easier for Hafley.
Matt LaFleur doesn't have to worry about chipping and double-teaming Bosa. He can open up the playbook without the fear of Bosa wrecking the game.
The Packers have ruled out two players and listed defensive tackle Colby Wooden as questionable.
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Jaire Alexander | CB | Knee | Out |
Kenny Clark | DL | Toe | - |
Edgerrin Cooper | LB | Hamstring | Out |
Josh Jacobs | RB | Quad/Calf | - |
Elgton Jenkins | G/T | NIR-Rest | - |
Josh Myers | C | Wrist | - |
Rasheed Walker | T | Knee | - |
Evan Williams | S | Hamstring | - |
Colby Wooden | DL | Shoulder | Questionable |
Week 12 becomes a must-win for Packers despite their injury issues
The Packers can't blame injuries. Losing Alexander and Cooper is less than ideal, especially with Quay Walker struggling in the middle of the defense, but there can be no complaints as the Niners have it far worse.
They will enter this game without their star quarterback and pass-rusher, and their best offensive lineman is questionable. Purdy's absence is the most notable, but the Packers' game plan will shift dramatically without Bosa in the game. According to ESPN Stats & Info (h/t Rob Demovsky), the 49ers' pressure rate and sack percentage drops to the worst in the NFL when Bosa isn't in the lineup.
Packers fans know better than to assume this is a foregone conclusion. Shanahan won a playoff game against Matt LaFleur's team by running the ball 42 times while Jimmy Garoppolo completed six passes. Nothing is guaranteed. But it's also fair to say these teams look completely different. The 49ers haven't been the NFC force everyone expected, and injuries have played a part in that.
Green Bay must still play to its best because Shanahan is capable of generating points, even with a backup quarterback. The Packers did the same three times with Malik Willis.
However, previous outcomes don't change how significant the 49ers' injury situation is, and the Packers' task becomes far easier without Purdy and Posa (and maybe Williams) in the lineup.