The Green Bay Packers could get a few key players back in time for their Thursday Night Football showdown with the Detroit Lions.
Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that wide receiver Romeo Doubs remains in the concussion protocol but has a chance to get cleared in time for the game. He participated in practice, which is an encouraging step in his recovery.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has only played 10 snaps since suffering a knee injury in the win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, also returned to practice. It's unclear whether Alexander will play this week, but his return to practice is a positive sign. The Packers need their All-Pro cornerback for arguably their toughest game of the season.
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Here is the Packers' first injury report for Week 14:
Player | Position | Injury | Mon. |
|---|---|---|---|
Jaire Alexander | CB | Knee | LP |
Corey Ballentine | CB | Knee | DNP |
Kenny Clark | DL | NIR-Rest | LP |
Edgerrin Cooper | LB | Hamstring | DNP |
Romeo Doubs | WR | Concussion | LP |
John FitzPatrick | TE | Back | LP |
Josh Jacobs | RB | Calf | LP |
Elgton Jenkins | G/T | Knee | DNP |
Isaiah McDuffie | LB | Ankle | LP |
Arron Mosby | DL | Concussion Protocol | FP |
Josh Myers | C | Pectoral | LP |
Rasheed Walker | T | Knee | LP |
Colby Wooden | DT | Shoulder | LP |
Packers may have to win without Edgerrin Cooper for another week
The Packers have been without rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper since he injured his hamstring at practice two weeks ago. He missed the wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins and may not be available again this week. Cooper still hasn't returned to practice, and considering the importance of not rushing back from a hamstring issue, it seems unlikely he will play.
The positive is that Quay Walker is playing the best football of his career and has given the team reason to believe they can slow down the Lions' offense. If Walker backs up his performance from last week, Green Bay's defense will be just fine on Thursday Night Football.
The Lions also have several injury concerns. Their injured reserve list continues to grow, having now added starting linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. It's unclear whether left tackle Taylor Decker, cornerback Carlton Davis, or edge-rusher Josh Paschal will be available against the Packers.
Decker and Paschal didn't practice on Monday. Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike and DJ Reader also missed practice, while Davis was limited.
Injuries could play an important part in this game. The Lions now have 18 players on injured reserve, including starters like Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Alex Anzalone.
However, Detroit keeps finding ways to win. Dan Campbell's team is the best in the NFL through 13 games, and the Packers will need a near-perfect performance to beat them on Thursday Night Football. It's a must-win if Green Bay has any hope of winning the NFC North.