The Packers’ first injury report of the week came with a heavy dose of red, but also a few encouraging signs.
Green Bay listed four players as non-participants on Wednesday: left running back Chris Brooks with an ankle injury, guard Aaron Banks with knee and toe issues, offensive lineman Jager Burton with a back injury and offensive lineman Jacob Monk with a quadricep problem. Even with that cluster of absences up front, the Packers are still in position to carry enough bodies at the position on game day, since they’re “oversigned” there right now.
There was better news elsewhere on the roster. Receiver Savion Williams got back on the field Wednesday, opening his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Williams, who is dealing with an ankle injury, was limited in practice.
He wasn’t alone on the limited list. Right tackle Anthony Belton, defensive lineman Anthony Campbell, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and edge defender Lukas Van Ness all worked in a limited fashion. Belton, Wyatt and Van Ness were able to finish last week’s game against Tampa Bay, while Campbell was inactive because of injury.
Cornerback Brandon Cisse also took a step in the right direction. After leaving the Buccaneers game with a neck injury, he was a full participant on Wednesday. The expectation is that he’ll be back in his starting role at right cornerback, where he played as a rookie.
Chicago had its own injury issues on Wednesday, and the list was longer. The Bears had six players sitting out practice: offensive lineman Jonah Jackson with an ankle injury, running back Kyle Monangai with thumb and toe injuries, running back D’Andre Swift with hip and knee issues, offensive lineman Joe Thuney with a pectoral injury, quarterback Caleb Williams with a hamstring injury and offensive lineman Darnell Wright with an ankle injury.
The Bears also opened practice windows on three players. Cornerback Kyle Gordon, who is dealing with a calf injury, was a full participant.
Linebacker Noah Sewell, recovering from an Achilles injury, did not practice. Defensive lineman Shemar Turner, who is working back from a knee injury, was limited.
In Other News...
Packers Fans May Need To Reassess MarShawn Lloyd Fast
MarShawn Lloyd has gotten a real look in Green Bay this season, and for stretches he has flashed the kind of versatility that made him an intriguing part of the backfield plan. He has appeared in multiple games, helped as a pass-catcher with nine receptions and a touchdown, and even earned more playing time as injuries and ball-security issues opened the door around him.
The challenge for Lloyd is what has happened when the ball has been in his hands as a runner. His 2.7 yards per carry is the lowest among the Packers running backs, and two recent fumbles have only sharpened the scrutiny. For a team trying to sort out its backfield hierarchy, that leaves Lloyd in a spot where the upside is still visible, but the margin for error feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Still Searching For Depth At One Spot Fans Are Watching
The Packers kept working the edges of the roster this week with a set of tryouts that underscored how much the front office is still scanning for help. Green Bay looked at linebackers Deion Jones and Chris Paul, along with cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Dwight McGlothern, in another reminder that the post-cutdown period is as much about staying ready as it is about finding a surprise fit.
With a full 53-man roster and practice squad already in place, any move would require Green Bay to clear space somewhere else, which is why these workouts matter even if nothing follows immediately. The team has been active with visits and tryouts since the deadline passed, and the pattern suggests the Packers are keeping a close eye on a few areas while leaving the door open for a roster shuffle if the right player becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have One Big Linebacker Decision To Make
Edgerrin Coopers season-ending Achilles injury left the Packers with an immediate opening in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when Green Bay has to decide whether to trust what it already has or look outside the building for help. The internal route would keep the answer simple, but the injury also exposes how much the defense was relying on Coopers presence in that spot.
One name worth watching is Matt Milano, a free agent with prior ties to the Packers coaching staff and the kind of background that fits the role Green Bay suddenly needs filled. His recent production has dipped some, but he still brings experience as both a pass rusher and a run defender, which is why he could surface as a real option if the Packers decide they need a more proven solution. [Read more 🡒]