NFC North Injury Updates, Fines, and Fallout: Lions, Packers Dealing with Key Absences and Discipline Issues
As the playoff push tightens, the NFC North is feeling the wear and tear of December football. Between injury setbacks, disciplinary fines, and some brutally honest postgame reflections, the Lions and Packers are both navigating choppy waters heading into the home stretch.
Lions: Injuries and Fines Stack Up
Detroit's offensive line has been one of the team’s most consistent units this season, but veteran guard Graham Glasgow is now dealing with a knee issue that kept him off the practice field Friday. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Glasgow wasn’t expected to participate, and while there’s no long-term prognosis yet, any absence from Glasgow would be a blow to the Lions’ interior protection.
On the defensive side, linebacker Jack Campbell was fined $11,593 for a facemask penalty - a costly mistake both on the field and in the wallet. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jameson Williams was hit with a $17,389 fine for taunting, and linebacker Alex Anzalone was fined $17,968 for a striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing infraction - a mouthful that speaks to the physical intensity (and occasional overreach) of Detroit’s aggressive defensive style.
Discipline has been a point of pride for Dan Campbell’s squad, but these fines are a reminder that even a physical, hard-nosed team needs to walk the line carefully, especially with playoff positioning on the line.
Packers: Injury Bug Bites at a Tough Time
The Packers are facing a slew of injuries at a critical juncture. Safety Evan Williams, who suffered a knee injury in Week 15, could miss multiple games.
While the injury isn’t considered “severe,” per reports, the timeline is still murky. Williams is hoping to avoid missing time, but Green Bay is preparing for the possibility that he’ll be sidelined for at least a short stretch.
Head coach Matt LaFleur also provided updates on a few other key players. Defensive tackle Lukas Van Ness (foot) and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) were both limited in practice on Wednesday - not ideal, but at least they’re trending in the right direction.
The bigger concern, though, is at quarterback. Jordan Love remains in concussion protocol, and LaFleur acknowledged that it’s a multi-day process. There's no rushing through that, and the team will have to monitor his progress closely before making any decisions about his availability.
LaFleur didn’t hold back when discussing the team’s recent loss, calling it painful and admitting, “It’s hard to sleep at night when you have a game like that.” He emphasized the emotional toll of coming up short after so much preparation, but also doubled down on the team’s mindset: “We just gotta find a way to go 1-0.”
That’s the mantra in Green Bay right now - one game at a time, even with injuries piling up and postseason hopes hanging in the balance.
LaFleur also touched on the team’s injury situation at tight end, noting that he’s been in conversation with GM Brian Gutekunst. “We talked.
We have a plan. We’re kind of working through it right now.”
That suggests the Packers could be exploring roster moves or schematic adjustments to weather the storm.
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, both the Lions and Packers are being tested - physically, mentally, and emotionally. For Detroit, it’s about maintaining discipline and health as they try to lock in playoff seeding. For Green Bay, it’s about survival and resilience, with injuries testing their depth and leadership.
The NFC North race is never short on drama, and this December is shaping up to be no different.