The Green Bay Packers are limping into their Saturday matchup against the Chicago Bears, and that’s putting it mildly. The injury report reads more like a depth chart at this point, with key contributors across multiple positions either ruled out or listed as questionable.
As of Thursday, three players are officially out, and ten more are up in the air. Let’s break it down.
Who’s Out for Green Bay
RB MarShawn Lloyd (calf/hamstring)
TE Josh Whyle (concussion)
OL John Williams (back - PUP)
Of the three, the biggest impact comes at tight end. Josh Whyle had carved out a role before landing in concussion protocol, and with Tucker Kraft already on injured reserve and Ben Sims now wearing purple in Minnesota, the Packers are running thin at the position.
Expect one of their two practice squad tight ends - McCallan Castles or Drake Dabney - to get the call-up this weekend. It’s next man up, whether they’re ready or not.
Lloyd and Williams haven’t logged snaps this season, so their absence won’t shift much schematically. But Whyle’s loss will be felt, especially in an offense that leans on tight ends for both blocking and quick outlet routes in the passing game.
The Questionable Ten
Here’s where things get dicey. The Packers have a full unit’s worth of players carrying injury designations heading into Saturday:
- RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle)
- RB Chris Brooks (chest)
- WR Christian Watson (chest/shoulder)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
- RT Zach Tom (back/knee)
- OL Darian Kinnard (neck)
- DE Kingsley Enagbare (illness)
- DE Brenton Cox Jr. (groin - IR)
- DE Collin Oliver (hamstring - PUP)
- S Evan Williams (knee)
Let’s start with the backfield. Josh Jacobs re-aggravated his knee last week, and while he’s known for playing through pain, it’s still unclear whether he’ll suit up. If he can’t go, and with Chris Brooks also banged up, Green Bay may need to elevate another back for depth - or lean heavily on AJ Dillon, who’s already been carrying a significant load.
At wide receiver, Christian Watson gave a bit of optimism with his post-practice comments, suggesting he’s trending in the right direction. But with Dontayvion Wicks also nursing an ankle injury, Jordan Love’s receiving options could be limited if either one is a late scratch. That’s a concern for a team that’s already had to get creative with its passing game this season.
Then there’s the offensive line - and this is where things could get really complicated. Zach Tom exited last week’s game with a knee injury, and his replacement, Darian Kinnard, is now dealing with a neck issue.
That’s left rookie Jordan Morgan taking reps at right tackle in practice. If both Tom and Kinnard are unavailable, Morgan could be thrown into the fire for his first career start - at one of the most critical positions on the field.
Not ideal, especially against a Bears front that’s been generating pressure lately.
On the defensive side, the edge group is hurting. Kingsley Enagbare is battling an illness, and both Brenton Cox Jr. and Collin Oliver are already stashed on IR or PUP. That leaves Green Bay thin at defensive end, with potential practice squad elevations looming.
At safety, Evan Williams’ knee injury could force the Packers to shuffle things around. Look for Javon Bullard, typically manning the slot, to slide back into a deeper role alongside Zayne Anderson if Williams can’t go.
Bears Injury Watch
Chicago isn’t coming in at full strength either. Two names to watch:
- RB D’Andre Swift (groin) - Limited in the final two practices of the week.
- LB Tremaine Edmunds - Still technically on IR, but he was a full participant in Thursday’s session.
Swift’s status will be worth monitoring - his burst and ability to create mismatches in space could be a problem for a Packers defense that may be missing key edge defenders and safeties. And if Edmunds is activated, his presence in the middle of the Bears’ defense could make things tougher for Green Bay’s short-yardage and screen game.
Bottom Line: The Packers are walking a tightrope heading into Saturday. With so many positions in flux - especially at running back, right tackle, and defensive end - the team’s depth will be tested. Practice squad call-ups on Friday will give us a clearer picture of who’s likely to suit up, but for now, it’s a waiting game in Green Bay.