Breaking down Packers’ final injury report for Week 7 vs. Washington
The Green Bay Packers listed five players with designations on the final injury report of Week 7, including four starters.
Starting center Josh Myers is out with a knee injury and backup tackle Dennis Kelly is out with a back injury, while edge rusher Preston Smith (oblique), safety Darnell Savage (concussion) and cornerback Kevin King (shoulder) are all questionable to play.
Washington’s injury report doesn’t look much better. Both teams are battling injuries entering the contest.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Packers’ final injury report of Week 7.
Out
(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
C Josh Myers: The rookie center injured his knee last week in Chicago and is expected to miss a few games. He started five of the first six games, but he’ll miss his second start of the season on Sunday. Lucas Patrick, who started for Myers in Week 5 and played all but four snaps in place of the rookie in Chicago, will be expected to start again at center on Sunday. He’s a dependable veteran, and center might be his best position.
OT Dennis Kelly: The experienced offensive tackle will miss his third straight game. Elgton Jenkins is back, and Yosh Nijman provides depth at offensive tackle. The Packers could also elevate Ben Braden from the practice squad if depth is a concern.
Questionable
(AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
OLB Preston Smith: There’s hope he can play after he returned to practice on Friday. The veteran edge rusher is dealing with an oblique injury first suffered during the first half on Sunday in Chicago. Will his streak of 102 consecutive games play continue or end? If Smith can’t go, the Packers would lean on Jonathan Garvin, LaDarius Hamilton and possibly even Whitney Mercilus to take the snaps opposite Rashan Gary. The team might have to take the cautious route here, especially with so many important games coming up. It will all depend on how Smith’s is feeling come Sunday.
S Darnell Savage: Coach Matt LaFleur believed his starting safety was still in the concussion protocol as of Friday afternoon. He’ll have until Sunday to pass through the final steps and return to play. Savage did practice in a limited capacity on both Thursday and Friday, so the door is open. If he can’t play, the Packers would likely make Henry Black the starter next to Adrian Amos.
CB Kevin King: He was limited at practice all week, but he was out there each day without a setback. King missed last week’s win in Chicago with a shoulder injury but he’s certainly trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday. Getting him back would be a boost for a team missing Jaire Alexander in the secondary. If King can’t go, veteran Rasul Douglas would get another opportunity to play a lot of snaps opposite rookie Eric Stokes.
Available to play
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
WR Equanimeous St. Brown: While listed on the injury report with a shoulder injury, he practiced without limitations all week and does not have a designation entering Sunday. He will be available.
On IR/PUP list
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
LT David Bakhtiari (PUP list): He returned to practice this week but remains on the PUP list. The Packers could activate him to the roster on Saturday, but it looks like a long shot.
CB Jaire Alexander: The Packers are optimistic about his progress recovering from a shoulder injury, but he’ll miss a third straight game while on injured reserve.
OLB Za’Darius Smith: He’s been on injured reserve since Week 2. Back surgery means he’ll be there for most of the season.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The Packers’ best deep threat was eligible to come off injured reserve this week, but he remained on injured reserve and didn’t practice. He’ll miss a fourth straight game.
OLB Chauncey Rivers: He tore his ACL in practice two weeks ago and will miss the season. The Packers will lean on Jonathan Garvin and La’Darius Hamilton as the backups at outside linebacker until Whitney Mercilus is ready.
TE Dominique Dafney: He was designated for return from injured reserve last week but has not yet been activated to the roster. He’s missed four games with a hip injury.
WR Malik Taylor (COVID-19 list): He will miss his second straight game while on the reserve list.
Others (out for season): S Will Redmond, OLB Randy Ramsey
Washington injury report
Washington ruled out receivers Curtis Samuel and Cam Sims, right tackle Sam Cosmi and right guard Brandon Scherff for Sunday. Running back Antonio Gibson, cornerback William Jackson and defensive end Shaka Toney are questionable.
Among the players on injured reserve are quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, tight end Logan Thomas and linebacker Jon Bostic.
For more on Washington’s injury situation, visit Washington Wire.
1
1
