The uncertainty over Jordan Love's status for Week 9 continues, with head coach Matt LaFleur revealing they will give him until game time. The Green Bay Packers have listed Love as questionable on their final injury report ahead of Sunday's divisional showdown against the Detroit Lions.
Love has practiced for consecutive days, which seems to be a good sign for his status this week. However, the Packers' injury concerns go far deeper than Love's availability.
With Love either out or playing through injury, the Packers will need to lean on their rushing attack. The problem? Josh Jacobs is questionable due to an ankle injury. Jacobs says he will be good to go, but Green Bay has left his status in the balance.
LaFleur said Evan Williams' injury caused a "chain reaction" in the secondary during last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, we can add Jaire Alexander's injury to the increasing problems facing the Packers' defense. Williams is officially out, and Alexander's status is up in the air with a questionable tag.
The Packers will also need to reshuffle the offensive line, as starting center Josh Myers is doubtful for Week 9. Here is the team's final injury report ahead of the Lions clash:
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Jaire Alexander | CB | Knee | Questionable |
Corey Ballentine | CB | Ankle | Questionable |
Kenny Clark | DL | Toe/Shoulder | - |
Josh Jacobs | RB | Ankle | Questionable |
Elgton Jenkins | G/T | Glute | - |
Jordan Love | QB | Groin | Questionable |
Josh Myers | C | Wrist | Doubtful |
Quay Walker | LB | Concussion | - |
Rasheed Walker | T | Knee | - |
Evan Williams | S | Hamstring | Out |
Devonte Wyatt | DL | Ankle | - |
Packers face big questions in the secondary ahead of their toughest test vs. Lions
Jared Goff is playing at an MVP level, and the Lions' offense is arguably the best in football, leading the league with a 33.4 points-per-game average. If there's one positive for the Packers, it's that the Lions haven't played outdoors all season, and rainy conditions could make the slippery Lambeau Field surface even tougher to contend with. Goff's numbers have declined in outdoor games.
But make no mistake, the Packers' challenge becomes far more daunting without Williams and (potentially) Alexander.
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Myers' absence creates another problem on offense. The quarterback/center exchange is taken for granted, and Myers is quietly having an excellent season despite battling through injuries. Elgton Jenkins has plenty of experience and would likely take over the center duties, with rookie Jordan Morgan covering at left guard.
The Lions have their own injury problems, especially across the defensive line. Along with the season-ending injury to star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit has ruled out defensive linemen Brodric Martin and Joshua Paschal, while Mekhi Wingo is doubtful. Starting linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is also out this week.
Both teams have been hit hard by injuries, but the Packers face uncertainty at quarterback, running back, and in the secondary. It's not a great combination with the red-hot Lions team coming to Lambeau Field.