Packers-Chiefs Thursday Injury Report: AJ Dillon Returns But Two Stars Out
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ outlook in the backfield and secondary improved on Thursday, but their receiver corps could be without a key player for Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Receiver Jayden Reed, who played through a chest injury and scored the first touchdown of last week’s victory over the Detroit Lions, did not join the rest of the team on the practice field on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Reed participated in part of the pre-practice stretch inside the Don Hutson Center before moving toward the exercise equipment in the back of the facility. On Thursday, he hung out behind the rest of the team and stayed inside again.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Reed, who suffered the injury against the Chargers but played on a short week at the Lions, didn’t suffer a setback.
“I wouldn’t say setback,” Reed agreed. “Just taking it day by day and trying to get right and go out there on Sunday.”
A second-round pick, Reed is second on the team with 36 receptions, first with 497 receiving yards and second with five touchdown receptions and six total touchdowns.
Among rookies, not only does he rank in the top 10 in receptions, yards and touchdowns, but he is No. 1 with seven receptions of 30-plus yards. That’s the most 30-yard catches by a Packers rookie since at least 2000.
“He’s just a heck of a competitor and he’s helped us not only in the pass game, obviously, but just getting the ball in his hands whether it’s on reverses, arounds, whatever it may be, screens,” LaFleur said. “And I love how he competes both in the run game and in the pass game. So, he’s made plays when given opportunities.”
Dillon returned to practice after missing the last two days with a groin injury. With Aaron Jones still sidelined with a knee injury and Emanuel Wilson on injured reserve, it will be up to Dillon and Patrick Taylor to once again carry the load in the backfield against a strong Chiefs defense.
The secondary could be shaping up, too – with a matchup against MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes being the perfect timing.
All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was inactive the last three games with a shoulder injury, practiced for a second consecutive day.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” LaFleur said when asked if Alexander was trending toward playing.
Starting safety Darnell Savage, who spent the last five games on injured reserve with a calf injury, practiced again after going full participation on Wednesday.
“I feel better,” Savage said. “Definitely feels a lot better just being able to practice again.”
Safety Rudy Ford, who missed the last two games with a biceps injury and three of the last four overall, practiced again, as well. Will he return to the starting lineup or will the Packers stick with Jonathan Owens? LaFleur said the coaching staff was weighing that decision.
And so did cornerback Eric Stokes, who was designated for return from injured reserve on Monday after missing five games with a hamstring injury.
Reed, Jones and cornerback Robert Rochell (calf) were the only players who were not on the field for the start of practice.
On Wednesday, the Packers listed 15 players on their injury report, with 12 who did not practice or were limited. The Chiefs had only two players who did not practice or were limited.
On Thursday, it was still 12-2. Every player on the Chiefs practiced, with running back Jerick McKinnon going limited participation on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday.
Packers Thursday Injury Report
DNP: RB Aaron Jones (knee), WR Jayden Reed (chest), CB Robert Rochell (calf).
Questionable: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), DT Kenny Clark (shoulder), TE Josiah Deguara (hip), RB AJ Dillon (groin), S Rudy Ford (biceps), OLB Rashan Gary (shoulder), CB Eric Stokes (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (knee).
Full: CB Keisean Nixon (wrist), S Darnell Savage (calf), DT Devonte Wyatt (heel).
Chiefs Thursday Injury Report
Limited: RB Jerick McKinnon (groin), LB Nick Bolton (wrist).
Full: S Bryan Cook (biceps), WR Skyy Moore (knee), WR Rashee Rice (foot), LT Donovan Smith (neck), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (ankle/hip).
