Packers-Vikings Thursday Injury Report: Two Top Receivers Remain Out
GREEN BAY, Wis. – With their playoff lives hanging in the balance, the Green Bay Packers could be without a couple key passing-game playmakers for Sunday night’s showdown at the Minnesota Vikings.
While standout rookie receiver Jayden Reed practiced for a second consecutive day after missing last week’s win over Carolina, explosive receiver Christian Watson remains out with his hamstring injury and ascending rookie receiver Dontayvion Wicks didn’t practice again following the chest injury sustained during last week’s end-of-the-first-half touchdown.
For Wicks and Watson to play on Sunday, they’ll probably have to practice on Friday, coach Matt LaFleur said.
For his part, Watson said playing on Sunday is “not off the table by any means.”
If they don’t, the Packers would go into what’s essentially an NFC elimination game with Romeo Doubs, Reed, Samori Toure and Malik Heath as the four healthy receivers on their 53-man roster. Bo Melton, presumably, would be elevated from the practice squad; he has played in three games but only two were as an elevation.
With the Packers playing without Watson, Reed and Wicks during the second half last week, Doubs scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and set up the winning field goal.
“Obviously, with guys going down, not everybody being healthy this week, that’s when you need other guys to step up,” quarterback Jordan Love said.
“Obviously, I think Rome knew that going into the game and he did what he’s been doing all year: making plays. But I think his confidence right now, too, the way he’s playing is all playing into that, but it helps a lot to have him out there and making those plays.”
On Wednesday, Watson, Wicks (chest), linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (neck) and left guard Elgton Jenkins (shoulder) did not practice. Of those four, only Jenkins joined his teammates for the start of individual drills.
Reed and safety Darnell Savage (shoulder), who both missed the Carolina game, practiced for a second consecutive day.
So did tight end Luke Musgrave, who was designated to return from injured reserve last week but didn’t start practicing until Wednesday. After missing the last five games with a lacerated kidney, he’s likely at least another week away from returning to action.
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Jaren Hall would be the team’s starting quarterback. It was Hall who replaced Kirk Cousins after the veteran suffered a torn Achilles during Minnesota’s victory at Lambeau Field in October.
This time, Hall replaces Nick Mullens, who threw for 714 yards but six interceptions in back-to-back losses to the Bengals and Lions.
A fifth-round rookie, Hall has completed 8-of-10 passes for 101 yards this season. He started against Atlanta the week after Cousins went down but suffered a concussion.
“I feel like he has been doing a great job in learning and just the process of being a rookie and carrying that role,” Jefferson said this week. “I feel like Jaren is definitely a great quarterback. He has some potential to spark this offense up if we put him out there to play, but we’ll have confidence in whoever.”
Hall was the 164th pick of the draft. He was taken after Green Bay selected quarterback Sean Clifford at No. 149 and Wicks at No. 159.
Unlike Love, Hall might have his full complement of receivers. All-Pro Justin Jefferson, who missed the first matchup with the Packers while on injured reserve, is healthy and coming off a big game against Detroit. His rookie sidekick, Jordan Addison, suffered an ankle injury against Detroit but returned to practice on Thursday as limited participation.
Packers Thursday Injury Report
DNP: WR Christian Watson (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle), LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), DT TJ Slaton (knee/foot).
Limited: LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Jayden Reed (toe/chest), CB Robert Rochell (neck), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), RB AJ Dillon (thumb), RB Aaron Jones (knee/finger), S Jonathan Owens (knee), LG Elgton Jenkins (shoulder), TE Luke Musgrave (kidney).
Full: OLB Kingsley Enagbare (toe), T Luke Tenuta (ankle), RB Emanuel Wilson (shoulder).
Vikings Thursday Injury Report
DNP: S Theo Jackson (toe), CB Byron Murphy (knee), WR Jalen Nailor (concussion), DT Jaquelin Roy (ankle).
Limited: WR Jordan Addison (ankle), CB Makhi Blackmon (shoulder/illness), DT Sheldon Day (ankle), LB Troy Dye (wrist), RB Alexander Mattison (ankle).
Full: RT Brian O’Neill (ankle) LB Ivan Pace (shoulder), DT Harrison Phillips (back).
