The Packers’ injury picture got a little messier on Thursday, even with one major positive on the board.
Jordan Love was upgraded to a full participant as Green Bay moved closer to Sunday’s NFC North matchup with the Detroit Lions, but the team also added two new names to the report: linebacker Zaire Franklin and EDGE Lukas Van Ness. That left the Packers dealing with another round of uncertainty as they head toward Week 7.
In all, Green Bay listed 10 players as limited participants. Wide receiver Bo Melton did not practice because of a back injury.
The Thursday report offered a clearer look than the team’s Wednesday estimate, when the Packers did not hold an official practice and all designations were projections. Now, roughly a day later, the picture is sharper - and not especially comforting for a Green Bay roster that already looks shorthanded compared with Detroit’s.
Franklin and Van Ness weren’t the only familiar names on the list. Christian Watson remained limited with an ankle injury, while Matthew Golden was also held back as he continues working through a shoulder issue. Offensive guard Aaron Banks is still managing knee and toe injuries, and Savion Williams, recently activated from injured reserve, stayed limited because of an ankle issue.
On defense, Franklin and Van Ness were joined by defensive tackles Anthony Campbell, who is dealing with an ankle injury, and Jordon Riley, who is working through an Achilles issue. Cornerbacks Brandon Cisse and Benjamin St-Juste were also limited, with Cisse listed with shoulder and neck concerns and St-Juste dealing with a hamstring injury.
Van Ness has been a regular on these reports this season, and while he had some struggles against the Dallas Cowboys, his absence is still something this defense notices. Franklin, 30, arrived in Green Bay this offseason after spending his first eight NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Packers come into the game at 1-1 in NFC North play after a convincing home win over the Chicago Bears. They’ve also won back-to-back games at Lambeau Field, but the next stop is Ford Field, where they’ll try to handle a Lions team that had only three players on its initial injury report.
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