Packers-Lions Tuesday Injury Report: Huge Update for Luke Musgrave, Aaron Jones
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Jones almost certainly won’t play for the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at the Detroit Lions. Tight end Luke Musgrave definitely is out.
According to a source, Musgrave sustained a lacerated kidney during Sunday’s victory over the Chargers. The injury was sustained when he was tackled and landed on the football.
Musgrave stayed in the game. There is no timetable for his return to action.
Musgrave was hospitalized because of the injury; the source said he is out of the hospital now.
“He’s got a pretty significant injury,” LaFleur said. “I think it just speaks to his toughness, because he didn’t say anything all game, and then something came up. …
“It’s been pretty significant. This kid is as tough as they come, and I think that was pretty evident coming out of that Denver game when he hurt his ankle. He was battling to get back into that game and wasn’t happy when they weren’t letting him back in.”
In early November 2015, Chargers receiver Keenan Allen suffered a lacerated kidney and missed the rest of the season. The Eagles’ Chauncey Garder-Johnson missed five games last season.
“He’s a guy that, obviously, I think he’s going to be a very dynamic player in time in this league,” LaFleur said. “He continues to get better every time he goes out there, so obviously a significant blow for us offensively.”
Musgrave ranks third among rookie tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. Without him, it will be up to rookies Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims to pick up the slack. Kraft entered the Chargers game with three catches for 11 yards, but had a 27-yard catch in which he caught a short pass and broke a tackle.
“Tucker, you’ve seen the growth in him, making a huge play on a simple flat route and just showing his athleticism and his speed,” LaFleur said. “I think a lot of things, you don’t always see just the growth he’s had in the run game as well, as a blocker. It’s been evident. Certainly going to be more on his plate in this game.”
For Jones, the sprained MCL sustained against the Chargers was just about the best possible news.
“Very relieved,” LaFleur said on Tuesday afternoon. “It’s not anything long term. We’ll just kind of work through that.”
While “it’s highly unlikely” that Jones will be available on Thursday, LaFleur didn’t think a four-game trip to injured reserve would be required.
Jones is among 17 players listed on Tuesday’s Packers injury report. That’s nearly one-third of the roster.
Coming off a Sunday’s victory over the Chargers and with a short turnaround this week, the team did not practice on Monday and held a walk-through on Tuesday. Thus, participation levels were estimations. Those who would not have participated: running backs Jones and Emanuel Wilson, tight ends Musgrave and Josiah Deguara, receiver Dontayvion Wicks and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
Campbell, who missed three games earlier in the season with an injured ankle, suffered a stinger vs. the Chargers and missed the final 11 minutes.
“A stinger’s usually a nerve in your neck, so kind of went numb for a little bit,” Campbell. “It’s definitely frustrating, but it’s part of the game. Humans weren’t meant to play football, but here we are, so just try to make the most of it.”
Receiver Jayden Reed was added to the injury report as limited participation.
Safety Darnell Savage, who was designated for return from injured reserve on Monday, was listed as limited again. Is it possible he could return to the starting lineup without have a real practice under his belt?
“We’ll see where he’s at,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s itching to get back out there. This has been killing him.”
The Lions have only four players on their injury report. The only player who did not practice was starting left guard Jonah Jackson.
Packers Tuesday Injury Report
Did not participate: LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), TE Josiah Deguara (hip), RB Aaron Jones (knee), TE Luke Musgrave (abdomen), WR Dontayvion Wicks (concussion/knee), RB Emanuel Wilson (shoulder).
Limited: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), DT Kenny Clark (shoulder), RB AJ Dillon (groin), S Rudy Ford (biceps), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee), CB Keisean Nixon (ankle), WR Jayden Reed (chest), S Darnell Savage (calf).
Full: CB Corey Ballentine (shoulder), OLB Rashan Gary (shoulder), WR Christian Watson (shoulder).
Lions Tuesday Injury Report
Did not participate: G Jonah Jackson (wrist).
Full: DT Isaiah Buggs (illness), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (hand), C Frank Ragnow (toe).
