Packers-Buccaneers Thursday Injury Report: AJ Dillon Has Broken Thumb
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon suffered a broken thumb during Monday night’s loss to the New York Giants, he confirmed after Thursday’s practice.
“I got hit – just routine play,” Dillon said with a protective wrap/brace on his right hand. “Football, that’s how it goes. Got hit with a helmet lined up the right way. And then we called another run play after that.”
Dillon suffered the injury on the final series but stayed on the field and converted a third-and-1.
“That speaks to his toughness. It’s unfortunate. Kind of caught us by surprise a little bit,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
Dillon was among four players, all key performers, who did not practice on Thursday.
Dillon has not missed a game due to injury in his career and has played in 51 consecutive games, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Buccaneers is in doubt.
“We’ve still got some days left in the week,” he said.
With Aaron Jones sidelined by a knee injury, Dillon had hit his stride. The last three games, he had 81 scrimmage yards against Detroit, 87 against Kansas City and 78 against New York. He had a rumbling 35-yard catch against the Giants.
While he’s averaged only 3.5 yards per carry, he has a team-high 574 rushing yards and, given his improved performance, had a chance to beat his career high of 803 set in 2021.
Jones, who missed the last three games with a knee injury, practiced again and appears on course to make his return on Sunday. Clearly, given Dillon’s outlook, his potential return couldn’t come at a better time.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Jones said. “Got to move around today in practice and making great strides. So, I'm going to take it day-by-day, but I feel I'm confident for Sunday.”
The team didn’t practice on Wednesday. If it had, Dillon along with safety Darnell Savage (shoulder), linebacker Quay Walker (shoulder) and receivers Christian Watson (hamstring), Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) would not have participated.
The overall outlook improved on Thursday.
Walker, who was inactive last week, and Wicks, who was injured in the fourth quarter, were back on the field. But their level of participation during the media portion varied greatly. During individual drills, Walker was taking his usual reps. During the first period of receivers catching passes from quarterbacks, Wicks watched behind Samori Toure, Malik Heath and Jayden Reed.
Savage (shoulder), Dillon (thumb), Watson (hamstring) and left guard Elgton Jenkins (shoulder) stayed inside the Don Hutson Center for the start of Thursday’s practice.
LaFleur didn’t expect Watson to practice on Friday but the second-year receiver, who had gotten on a roll before his latest hamstring, was optimistic that he won’t be sidelined much longer.
“I’m feeling good. I really like where I’m at in the recovery process,” he said. “I say it all the time when I’m coming back from this type of stuff but just got to take it day by day. But I’m feeling really good about where I’m at. I’ve had quite a few days where it’s felt really good.”
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, after struggling to get his jersey on over a shoulder harness, practiced, as well. He’s missed the last five games.
Reed practiced, as well. He was checked for a concussion after he was stopped on the pivotal two-point play last week but is on the injury report because of his ankle.
“That was definitely a tough game as far as physicality goes,” he said. “That’s just what it’s about in this league, being able to take care of your body as much as you can and get yourself ready to go the following week.”
The Buccaneers’ injury report is a mess, as well. While cornerback Jamel Dean and linebacker Devin White progressed to full participation, cornerback Carlton Davis (groin), receiver Chris Godwin (knee) and defensive tackle Vita Vea (toe) missed practice for a second consecutive day.
Here are Thursday’s reports.
Packers Thursday Injury Report
DNP: RB AJ Dillon (thumb), LG Elgton Jenkins (shoulder), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), WR Christian Watson (hamstring).
Limited: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), OLB Kingsley Enagbare (toe), RB Aaron Jones (knee), CB Keisean Nion (quad), S Jonathan Owens (knee), WR Jayden Reed (ankle), DT TJ Slaton (quad), LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle).
Full: CB Eric Stokes (hamstring).
Buccaneers Thursday Injury Report
DNP: CB Carlton Davis (groin), DL Will Gholston (knee/ankle), WR Chris Godwin (knee), S Ryan Neal (back), LS Zach Triner (elbow), NT Vita Vea (toe),
Full: CB Jamel Dean (ankle/foot), LB Devin White (foot).
