Playoff football is here, and the Green Bay Packers are getting healthier just in time.
Xavier McKinney hinted at several key players returning to the lineup for Sunday's wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers have missed linebacker Quay Walker and safety Evan Williams in recent weeks but get them back for this game.
There are no concerns about Jordan Love or Malik Willis, who are both good to go, even after the Packers promoted Sean Clifford to the active roster. Clifford will serve as the emergency third quarterback but doesn't need to officially be part of the gameday roster. Green Bay has ensured it has insurance at quarterback by making the most of an available roster spot.
The Packers will have to adjust without star wide receiver Christian Watson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 18. Whether that means more snaps for Dontayvion Wicks or they use Bo Melton as the deep threat remains to be seen, but the Packers need a good plan.
Full inactives list for Packers in NFC Wild Card Round
Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
Zayne Anderson | S | Concussion |
Sean Clifford | QB | Emergency QB |
Andre Dillard | T | Concussion |
Ben Sims | TE | Healthy Scratch |
Christian Watson | WR | Knee |
The Packers will get a huge boost on defense, with linebacker Quay Walker and safety Evan Williams returning to the lineup. Defensive tackle T.J. Slaton is also good to go. Sean Clifford doesn't count as part of the active roster but is the emergency quarterback and can be called upon if the Packers need him.
It's the Packers' first game without Christian Watson since his season-ending injury, and they will need to readjust their plan to attack the Eagles' defense. Zayne Anderson also misses the contest as he remains in the concussion protocol, which hurts the team's safety depth.
Full inactives list for Eagles in NFC Wild Card Round
Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
Lewis Cine | DB | Healthy Scratch |
Nick Gates | OL | Healthy Scratch |
Darian Kinnard | OL | Healthy Scratch |
Tanner McKee | QB | Emergency QB |
Trevor Keegan | G | Illness |
Eli Ricks | CB | Healthy Scratch |
Ainias Smith | WR | Healthy Scratch |
Byron Young | DT | Hamstring |
The Eagles are almost at full strength. Quarterback Jalen Hurts cleared the concussion protocol and is good to go, while wide receiver A.J. Brown will play despite dealing with a knee issue.