"This injury list is pretty substantial," Matt LaFleur said.
He wasn't lying. Micah Parsons. Christian Watson. Josh Jacobs. Evan Williams. Zach Tom. Lukas Van Ness. All of them are either ruled out or a doubt to play in the Green Bay Packers' huge game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday night.
Parsons is out for the season and will soon head to injured reserve. MarShawn Lloyd is also likely done for the year. A lot of the other injury questions hang in the balance with the Bears up next. Here's the Packers' first injury report for Week 16, which was released a day earlier than usual as they play on Saturday:
Player | Injury | Practice |
|---|---|---|
Chris Brooks, RB | Chest | LP |
Brenton Cox, DL | Groin | FP |
Matthew Golden, WR | Wrist | FP |
Josh Jacobs, RB | Knee/Ankle | DNP |
Darian Kinnard, T | Neck | LP |
MarShawn Lloyd, RB | Calf/Hamstring | DNP |
Jordan Love, QB | Left Shoulder | FP |
Collin Oliver, DL | Hamstring | LP |
Micah Parsons, DL | Knee | DNP |
Zach Tom, T | Back/Knee | DNP |
Lukas Van Ness, DL | Foot | DNP |
Christian Watson, WR | Chest/Shoulder | DNP |
Josh Whyle, TE | Concussion | DNP |
Dontayvion Wicks, WR | Ankle | DNP |
Evan Williams, S | Knee | DNP |
Savion Williams, WR | Foot | LP |
Key: DNP = Did not participate in practice; LP = Limited participation in practice; FP = Full participation in practice
Packers' injury report raises concerns ahead of huge showdown with Bears
The Packers didn't practice on Tuesday and had a walkthrough instead, so their injury report is an estimation. However, it highlights the nightmare we all witnessed in Denver. The Packers not only lost the game, but also several key starters to injury.
Right tackle Zach Tom exited the game with a knee injury. While it sounds like he avoided anything significant, his status for Saturday is up in the air. The same goes for breakout second-year safety Evan Williams and star receiver Christian Watson. Both players avoided long-term concerns, and the Packers will give them all week, but there's a good chance they'll sit.
Josh Jacobs took a hit to his injured knee early in the game, which worsened the problem. Somehow, some way, it didn't prevent him from putting up 92 total yards and two touchdowns. Jacobs is determined to play, but that remains to be seen.
Even Darian Kinnard, who replaced Tom in the lineup and could start at right tackle this week, lands on the injury report with a neck issue. If he misses the game, we can assume Jordan Morgan will get the call to start, either at right guard or right tackle (Anthony Belton can play both positions).
There was some good news on Tuesday's injury report, though.
Safety Javon Bullard, who battled through injury last week, is no longer listed. Neither is wide receiver Jayden Reed, who looked in pain at one stage on Sunday. First-round rookie Matthew Golden looked healthy against the Broncos, and it's estimated he would've practiced in full on Tuesday.
Even so, the harsh reality is that the Packers will have to find a way to win without several key starters at Soldier Field on Saturday night.