Packers Injury Report: Secondary Depth Tested Ahead of Bears Matchup
The Green Bay Packers are heading into their Week 14 showdown against the Chicago Bears with a growing list of injury concerns-most notably in the secondary, where depth is about to be seriously tested.
Let’s start with the big one: rookie safety Javon Bullard, who’s been holding down the nickelback spot for much of the season, didn’t practice on Thursday after being limited the day before. He’s still dealing with an ankle injury that’s lingered for weeks, and the downgrade in participation raises red flags. If Bullard can’t go on Sunday, the Packers will have to dig deep into their cornerback rotation.
The next man up would be Nate Hobbs, but he’s not exactly at full speed either. Hobbs has been battling a knee injury and hasn’t played in several weeks.
He’s been limited in practice, and his availability for Sunday remains uncertain. If neither Bullard nor Hobbs is cleared, Green Bay would likely turn to Kitan Oladapo-a rookie who’s logged just two defensive snaps this season, both in prevent defense looks.
That’s a steep drop-off in experience and reps, especially against a Bears offense that’s been quietly improving in the slot game.
Packers’ Thursday Non-Participants:
- WR Savion Williams (foot)
- DE Lukas Van Ness (foot)
- DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
- S Javon Bullard (ankle)
The other three names on the non-participant list were largely expected. Williams and Van Ness both missed last week’s win over Detroit, and Wyatt is expected to be moved to season-ending injured reserve soon due to his ankle issue.
Limited Participants:
- RB Josh Jacobs (knee)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (calf, IR)
- WR Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder, IR)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
- WR Matthew Golden (wrist)
- RT Zach Tom (back)
- DE Collin Oliver (hamstring, PUP)
- DE Brenton Cox Jr. (shoulder, IR)
- DT Karl Brooks (ankle)
- CB Nate Hobbs (knee)
There’s some good news, though. Linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper, along with defensive end Barryn Sorrell, were all upgraded to full participants on Thursday. Walker, in particular, has been sidelined for several weeks with a stinger, and his return could be a key boost against a Bears rushing attack that ranks among the league’s best.
Still, several limited participants remain question marks-especially at positions where the Packers are already thin. Receiver Matthew Golden, defensive tackle Karl Brooks, and cornerback Nate Hobbs were all inactive against Detroit, and their status hasn’t improved significantly this week.
Golden, Williams, and Jayden Reed were all sidelined last week, forcing the Packers to elevate Will Sheppard from the practice squad. If the receiver room doesn’t get healthier by Sunday, Sheppard could be called up again to face Chicago.
Defensively, Brooks was penciled in to take over for Wyatt at the three-technique spot. But if Brooks can’t go, the Packers’ interior D-line rotation gets tricky.
The team recently added nose tackle Jordon Riley off the Giants’ practice squad, but he’s not a natural fit at the undertackle spot. That would leave Warren Brinson as the only true three-technique available, alongside nose tackles Colby Wooden, Nazir Stackhouse, and Riley.
And with Van Ness likely out, the usual plan of sliding him inside on passing downs may not be an option either.
In the secondary, the Bullard-Hobbs situation looms large. If both are unavailable, Oladapo-who’s barely seen the field on defense-could be thrust into a starting role in the slot. That’s a tough ask for any rookie, especially against a Bears offense that likes to attack the middle of the field.
One More Note on the Backfield
Running back MarShawn Lloyd was placed on injured reserve earlier this season with a hamstring issue, but he’s now listed with a calf injury. So while he’s been limited in practice, it’s not for the same reason he was originally sidelined. Either way, he won’t be suiting up anytime soon.
Bears Injury Update
On the Chicago side, running back Kyle Monangai saw some improvement, going from an estimated non-participant on Wednesday to a limited participant on Thursday. The Bears didn’t practice Wednesday but did hold a session Tuesday, which didn’t require a formal injury report.
The bigger concern for Chicago is wide receiver Romeo Odunze, who remains out with a foot injury. He’s the team’s leading receiver, and his absence would be a significant loss.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards is also working his way back from hand and hamstring injuries.
This week marked his first practice action since October, and there’s a chance he could return to face the Packers.
Bottom Line: The Packers are walking a tightrope with their depth, especially in the slot corner and interior defensive line positions. If Bullard and Hobbs can’t go, and Brooks is also out, Green Bay will be relying heavily on rookies and reserves in critical spots. With a divisional matchup on the line and playoff implications looming, Sunday could be a test of both talent and resilience for this Packers roster.