The Green Bay Packers are limping into Week 17 - and not just figuratively. After a bruising loss to the Chicago Bears, the injury report in Green Bay reads more like a MASH unit than a playoff contender's depth chart.
The tight end room has been hit especially hard, and the quarterback situation? Let’s just say it’s complicated.
Let’s start with the tight ends. John Fitzpatrick tore his Achilles in Saturday night’s game, adding yet another name to a growing list of injured Packers at the position.
With Tucker Kraft already sidelined for the season with a torn ACL and John Whyle still in concussion protocol, that leaves just Luke Musgrave standing. Literally.
He’s the only healthy tight end currently on the roster. For an offense that leans heavily on two-tight-end sets and relies on the position for both blocking and intermediate routes, this is a real problem.
But the bigger concern heading into a pivotal Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens? Quarterback.
Jordan Love, who’s quietly put together a solid campaign in his first full season as the Packers’ starter, exited early against Chicago after suffering a concussion. His backup, Malik Willis, finished the game but injured his throwing shoulder in the process. Now, both quarterbacks are officially questionable for Saturday’s game in Baltimore - a game Green Bay needs to win to lock up a playoff berth.
And just when you thought the Ravens might have a clear edge at the QB position, they’ve got their own issues under center.
Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP and the engine of Baltimore’s offense, left Sunday’s game against New England with a back injury. It’s the latest setback in what’s been a frustrating, injury-filled season for Jackson. He’s hopeful to return against the Packers, telling reporters that he wanted to finish the game against the Patriots but couldn’t shake the pain, even after receiving a Toradol shot.
“My legs felt great. I just got kneed in the back in the red zone,” Jackson said.
“I just couldn’t finish the game. I was trying.”
You could hear the frustration in his voice. Jackson believed the Ravens had the game in hand before his exit, and while backup Tyler Huntley did his best to steady the ship, it wasn’t enough.
Now, with the Ravens needing to win out - and get some help - to catch the Steelers in the AFC North, Jackson’s availability becomes even more critical. Baltimore not only has to beat Green Bay, but they also need to take down Pittsburgh in Week 18 and hope the Steelers stumble in both of their remaining games.
As for the Packers, the path is simpler: win one of the next two, and they’re in. But the quarterback question looms large. If Love can’t clear concussion protocol and Willis isn’t healthy enough to go, Green Bay may be forced to dig deep into the depth chart - or even look outside the building - for a Week 17 starter.
So here we are: two playoff-hopeful teams, both dealing with uncertainty at the most important position in football, about to square off in a game with major postseason implications. It’s the kind of late-season drama that defines the NFL - and it all hinges on who’s healthy enough to take the field.