Injury updates are never easy for a team in the thick of a playoff push, but for the Green Bay Packers, Sunday’s trip to Denver brought a mixed bag of news. While several key players left the game banged up, early indications suggest that not all the injuries are as serious as they initially looked - and in December, that’s a win in itself.
Let’s start with right tackle Zach Tom, who exited after just 25 snaps with a knee injury. The good news?
He doesn’t believe there’s any structural damage. That’s a big sigh of relief for a Packers offensive line that’s already dealt with its share of shuffling this season.
Tom’s been a steady presence on the right side, and while Darian Kinnard filled in for the rest of the game, the drop-off in experience was noticeable. If Tom can avoid missing significant time, it would go a long way toward keeping this offense on track.
Safety Evan Williams also left the game with a knee issue, but his postgame comments were cautiously optimistic. He mentioned this one didn’t feel as bad as the injury that sidelined him for four games during his college days - a hopeful sign for a defense that’s already had to get creative with its rotations.
When Williams went out, it was special teams regular Zayne Anderson who stepped in, while Javon Bullard stayed in his slot role. That’s a lot of juggling in the secondary, and it underscores just how thin things can get when injuries hit mid-game.
Of course, there’s still concern around wide receiver Christian Watson and defensive end Micah Parsons, both of whom left Sunday’s game with more serious injuries - chest and knee, respectively. Watson was even taken to the hospital as a precaution, though he was able to travel back with the team, which is a promising sign. Still, his availability going forward is very much in question.
Then there’s tight end Josh Whyle, who entered concussion protocol after a hit against the Broncos, and wideout Savion Williams, who’s been sidelined the past three weeks with a lingering foot injury. That’s a lot of offensive firepower either missing or potentially limited heading into a critical stretch of the season.
And while the Packers are managing the current injuries, they’re also staring down a roster deadline. Practice windows are currently open for running back MarShawn Lloyd and defensive ends Brenton Cox Jr. and Collin Oliver - but if they’re not activated by December 21st, the day after Green Bay’s matchup with the Bears, they’ll revert to injured reserve for the rest of the season. That’s a tough call looming for the front office, especially if any of the current injuries linger longer than expected.
Injuries are part of the game, especially in December, but the Packers will be hoping this latest batch doesn’t derail their momentum. With playoff positioning on the line and a crucial divisional matchup looming, every body counts - and every update matters.