We're not even halfway through the regular season, but the Green Bay Packers are preparing for their second game on Thursday Night Football. This places additional stress on injured players, who have less recovery time.
There's uncertainty about Matthew Golden's status for Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. He is officially listed as questionable on the Packers' final injury report.
The Packers have ruled out offensive linemen Sean Rhyan and Travis Glover, which will cause another reshuffle to the starting five. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is also out for another week.
Here's everything you need to know about the Packers' injury concerns entering Week 8.
Latest Packers injury updates for Week 8
Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden is officially questionable for Thursday's game due to shoulder and foot injuries.
It's difficult to get the clearest picture of his status on a short week as the Packers haven't practiced, which means each addition to the injury report is an estimate. Green Bay estimated that Golden wouldn't have participated on Monday or Tuesday but was limited on Wednesday.
"I sure hope so. We're still working through it," Matt LaFleur said on Tuesday when asked if Golden would be available for Thursday Night Football.
Golden's practice status is potentially a good indication, but consider his status up in the air. With a mini-bye to come after this game, the Packers may prefer to hold him out and get healthy. We'll see.
Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons won't play against the Panthers, but he could return to practice next week, the next major step in his recovery. Parsons remains on the reserve/PUP list, but the Packers can open his 21-day practice window at any time.
LaFleur hinted that Parsons could finally return to practice next week.
"I sure hope so," LaFleur said. "I'm saying there's a chance."
Once he's on the practice field, Parsons will likely need at least two weeks, perhaps three, to ramp up his reps before returning to action. The timing of the bye week could come into play here, too.
Assuming Parsons returns to practice in Week 9, the Packers could target a Week 12 return date, which would also give him the bye week as extra time to get ready.
Zaire Franklin
Zaire Franklin will miss another game due to a shin injury. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Franklin suffered a hairline fracture in his leg during practice last week.
"Green Bay did not place him on Injured Reserve, and they believe he can return while missing minimal games," Rapoport added.
That's an important note from Rapoport. With a 10-day break between games, it makes sense to keep Franklin out of this one and give him additional time.
Sean Rhyan and Travis Glover
The Packers' offensive line shuffling will continue this week. Center Sean Rhyan is reportedly dealing with a high-ankle sprain that could sideline him for over a month. Right guard Travis Glover is out this week due to a knee injury.
Will we finally see Kevin Zeitler start at right guard? LaFleur said the veteran is ready to play when the Packers need him. They sure need him now.
John Williams stepped in as the third-string center against the Detroit Lions, but it remains to be seen whether he'll get the start this week. Rookie Jager Burton played center for Kentucky and could be a natural fit, but he was inactive in Week 7, so the Packers couldn't bring him off the bench.
Time will tell.
Other Packers injury updates
Defensive tackle Anthony Campbell, who was one of the Packers' under-the-radar standouts in Week 7, is questionable with an ankle injury. It was estimated that he would've been a limited participant at practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, which feels like an encouraging sign.
Campbell played through injury last week, but he's officially questionable for Thursday Night Football.
So, too, are defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. Both players were listed as limited participants at practice on Wednesday, which hopefully means they will be good to go.
Latest Panthers injury updates for Week 8
Carolina is without star pass-rusher Jaelen Phillips in this game. Phillips signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Panthers in free agency and has 2.5 sacks in five games this season. It's a big loss.
Damien Lewis, PFF's 11th-ranked guard this season (sixth in pass blocking), is also out of Thursday Night Football.
It's another blow for the Panthers' offensive line, which lost star tackle Taylor Moton to a long-term injury in last week's defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Panthers are also reeling at cornerback, having already lost Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson to long-term injuries. They will now miss starter Akayleb Evans due to triceps and knee injuries.
Evans has struggled this season, allowing quarterbacks to complete 72 percent of passes in his direction with a 131.6 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus. However, his absence leaves the Panthers concerningly thin at cornerback. One of Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton, and Marco Wilson will likely get the start in his place.
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