The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are heading into their NFC North clash with two very different approaches-and two very different injury situations.
Coming off a mini-bye after their Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions, the Packers took full advantage of the extra rest and went full pads on Wednesday. That’s a rarity this late in the season, as teams are only allowed three padded practices over the final six weeks, per the collective bargaining agreement.
Green Bay clearly sees this as a pivotal week. Chicago, meanwhile, opted for rest, holding neither a practice nor a walkthrough following their Black Friday game.
Let’s break down where both teams stand on the injury front as the week gets rolling.
Packers: Three DNPs, Fourteen Limited
Green Bay had three players who didn’t practice at all and a lengthy list of 14 others listed as limited. That’s a lot of names, but not all of them are new concerns.
Non-Participants
- Devonte Wyatt (DT) - This one’s not a surprise. Head coach Matt LaFleur has already confirmed Wyatt is done for the season, and his move to injured reserve is just a matter of timing-likely when the team needs to free up a roster spot.
With both Wyatt and Kenny Clark (traded earlier this season) out of the picture, the Packers’ interior defensive line looks very different than it did back in September. That opens the door for younger players like Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, and Warren Brinson to step up.
- Lukas Van Ness (EDGE) - Van Ness is back in the rehab phase after his foot didn’t respond well during his return against Minnesota. He was inactive against the Lions, and signs point to him missing this week as well.
- Jayden Williams (WR/Returner) - Williams was spotted in a walking boot before the Vikings game, which LaFleur described as part of his normal routine while managing pain. He sat out against Detroit, but with a longer week to recover, there’s at least a chance he could be available Sunday. We’ll know more as the week progresses.
Limited Participants
- RB Josh Jacobs (knee)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (calf, IR)
- WR Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder, IR)
- WR Matthew Golden (wrist)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
- RT Zach Tom (back)
- DE Barryn Sorrell (ankle)
- DE Collin Oliver (hamstring, PUP)
- DE Brenton Cox Jr. (groin, IR)
- DT Karl Brooks (ankle)
- LB Quay Walker (neck)
- LB Edgerrin Cooper (shoulder)
- CB Nate Hobbs (knee)
- S Javon Bullard (shoulder)
Most of the players on this list are dealing with lingering issues-nothing new, but still worth monitoring.
A few of these names, though, are currently off the 53-man roster and working through their 21-day return windows: Lloyd, Reed, Oliver, and Cox Jr. Their presence on the practice field is encouraging, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll be activated this week.
Several key contributors were inactive last week, including Golden, Brooks, Walker, and Hobbs. Getting any of them back would be a boost, particularly Walker, who’s the team’s starting Mike linebacker, and Brooks, who’s a top candidate to replace Wyatt at the three-technique spot.
Interestingly, when the Packers added a defensive tackle to the active roster this week, it wasn’t a like-for-like replacement for Wyatt-it was a nose tackle. That could be a sign that the team expects Brooks to be ready to go, with Warren Brinson as the only other true three-technique on the roster.
Bears: Light Day, Heavy Concerns
Because Chicago didn’t practice Wednesday, their injury report is estimated-but even so, there are a few red flags.
Non-Participants (Estimated)
- RB Kyle Monangai (ankle)
- WR Rome Odunze (foot)
- LB Ruben Hyppolite III (shoulder)
- CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip)
The headline here is the potential absence of two key offensive weapons.
Monangai has been more efficient than D’Andre Swift this season, especially when measured by EPA (expected points added), and losing him would be a significant blow to the Bears’ ground game. He’s been a difference-maker.
Then there’s Odunze, who leads the team in receiving and continues to show why he was a first-round pick last year. If he can’t go, Chicago’s passing attack takes a major hit.
As for Stevenson, Chicago’s cornerback room is getting healthier, so his absence might not shift the game plan much. But depth in the secondary is always valuable, especially against a Packers offense that’s starting to stretch the field more consistently.
What It All Means
Both teams are banged up, but the Packers are clearly preparing for a physical, playoff-caliber matchup. A padded practice this late in the year sends a message: Green Bay is treating this game like a must-win. And with the division still in play, that intensity makes sense.
Chicago, on the other hand, is taking a more cautious approach. Rest and recovery might be the right call after a short week, but if Monangai and Odunze are limited or out, it’s hard to see the Bears offense keeping pace.
There’s still plenty of time for things to change before Sunday, but as of midweek, the Packers seem to be gearing up for a full-strength push. The Bears? They’ve got some healing to do before kickoff.