Packers inactives list for Week 17 game against Vikings

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Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers offense will face one of their toughest challenges of the season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Love will be without some of his top targets.

Wide receiver Christian Watson and tight end Luke Musgrave aren't ready to return from injury yet. They were both listed as doubtful on the Packers' Week 17 injury report.

U.S. Bank Stadium is a tough environment for opposing offenses to play in. Green Bay is 2-5 in that stadium, and one of its victories was without fans. Making it more challenging is Brian Flores' defense. His scheme confuses quarterbacks, and he will bring pressure regularly.

But the Vikings have their own injury problems in this game. They will miss star tight end T.J. Hockenson, who suffered a season-ending injury last week. The Vikings have also ruled out starting cornerback Byron Murphy.

Packers vs. Vikings inactives Week 17

Packers inactives

  • WR Christian Watson
  • WR Dontayvion Wicks
  • LB Brenton Cox Jr.
  • LB De'Vondre Campbell
  • T Caleb Jones

Vikings inactives

  • CB Byron Murphy
  • QB Joshua Dobbs (emergency QB)
  • S Theo Jackson
  • G Chris Reed
  • T Hakeem Adeniji
  • WR Jalen Nailor
  • DL Jaquelin Roy

Joe Barry's defense should have a favorable matchup this week, but we'll believe it when we see it. Winning this game may again come down to Love and the offense. But that won't be easy against a Vikings defense that ranks 13th in total yards allowed, ninth against the run, and 10th in scoring defense.

It could be a big game for Tucker Kraft. The Vikings bring a lot of pressure, so Love may need to find his tight end on quick passes to avoid the pass rush. Kraft is excellent at picking up yards after the catch. According to Pro Football Reference, an impressive 174 of his 276 receiving yards have come after the catch this season.

With Musgrave not yet ready to return, Love will need to target Kraft early and often against the Vikings.

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