Green Bay Packers News: Good News, Bad News On 1st Injury Report Ahead Of Vikings Matchup

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) leaves the field in the fourth quarter after getting injured against the New Orleans Saints during their football game Monday, December 23, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Green Bay Packers are 11-4 on the season and are looking to keep their winning ways going heading into the NFL Playoffs. They will face a huge challenge on Sunday afternoon when they take on the 13-2 Minnesota Vikings. Earlier this year, Minnesota defeated Green Bay 31-29 at Lambeau Field, and the Packers are looking for a bit of payback now that the season is winding down.

That game, as fans may recall, featured a version of Jordan Love who was less than 100% healthy. It was his first game back after missing two games with a sprained MCL, and he looked as rusty as one might have expected. Love threw three interceptions in that game, but did nearly lead the Packers all the way back in the fourth quarter.

Now that he is healthy, the game presumably will be much different, though Josh Jacobs will still be the focal point of the offense as he has been for most of the season.

Unfortunately, Green Bay does not know yet what other injured stars they may or may not have in what could be a game that determines seeding in the NFL Playoffs.

The Green Bay Packers Get Some Good News on Their Initial Injury Report

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) makes a catch, while being covered by Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20), during the Thursday Night Football game at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

Due to the Christmas holiday, the Packers did not practice on Wednesday. However, they did report to the building to review tape and begin working on their gameplan for Sunday afternoon.

Despite not actually practicing, the team did release estimates for their injured players regarding whether or not they would have practiced. Players that would have participated were:

Jaire Alexander (knee): full participant
Corey Ballentine (knee): full participant
Javon Bullard (ankle): limited participant
Tucker Kraft (hip): limited participant
Luke Musgrave (ankle): limited participant

What is noteworthy about this group of players is that Bullard would have been back at practice for the first time since getting hurt in Green Bay’s loss to the Detroit Lions on December 5.

Alexander has been a full participant for most of the last two weeks, but has not played since he took 10 snaps against the Chicago Bears back on November 17. He originally tore his PCL against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 27.

Musgrave returned from injured reserve this past week after having surgery on his ankle.

The Green Bay Packers Also Got Bad News on Their Initial Injury Report

Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch

Unfortunately, it was not all good news for the Packers on their initial injury report. Players that would not have participated at all were:

Christian Watson (knee)
Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle)
Quay Walker (ankle)
Evan Williams (quadricep)

Watson suffered his knee injury in Green Bay’s 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. Fortunately, he did not suffer any structural damage with head coach Matt LaFleur calling it a bruise. However, his status for Sunday afternoon is up the air.

Williams will likely not play in either of the Packers next two games after he injured his quadricep during practice last week.

Walker and Hopper being out means more snaps for Edgerrin Cooper, but still leave the linebacker position lacking in depth.