Packers-Buccaneers Final Injury Report: AJ Dillon Among Seven Questionable

With the Green Bay Packers set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, here are the final injury reports and what AJ Dillon had to say after returning to practice following a broken thumb.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Dec 15, 2023 3:38 PM EST

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Christian Watson is doubtful and AJ Dillon is one of seven players who are questionable for the Green Bay Packers for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dillon returned to practice on Friday as he and the team try to figure out if he can play with a broken thumb. Coach Matt LaFleur said Dillon had the thumb “padded up pretty well” to see what he could handle.

“We’re figuring it out. That’s the basic answer,” Dillon said as the locker room cleared out on Friday. “Just trying to figure it out, see what I can do and what I can’t.”

Asked if pain or ball security is the bigger issue, Dillon said, “All the above. It’s broken,” he said with a laugh.

Can Dillon play while limiting the risk of making the injury even worse? Can Dillon play while limiting the risk of a critical fumble?

Ball security “absolutely” is paramount in the decision, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. Dillon hasn’t fumbled all season and hasn’t lost a fumble since 2021.

“I think that’s one thing he’s got to take into account, we’ve all got to take into account is that right there,” he said.

Dillon, whose only missed games were due to COVID in 2020, didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s possible he went on the field on Friday to see if whatever protective device the medical staff has come up with can limit the risk while having Dillon playing at something approximating peak efficiency.

“I think that’s one thing the trainers and him are trying to figure out every day,” Stenavich said. “So, we’ll see how it goes and if he can go. He’s one of those guys that, if he can play, he’s going to go play. So, we’re just kind of taking it day-by-day right now and seeing where he’s at.”

Dillon was injured during the final series against the Giants. The thumb was broken on the play before he ran for a key third-down conversion.

“The first thing is always just making sure I’m putting myself in the best position I can as far as if there’s something hurt not making it a bigger issue than it is down the road,” Dillon said. “And then the next question is will I be able to go out there and positively impact the team with me being out there.”

Only two players did not practice: Watson (hamstring) and safety Darnell Savage (shoulder).

Watson suffered a hamstring injury during the final moments of the win vs. Kansas City and was inactive last week. He was happy with his recovery, with a consistently upward trajectory.

“You never really know where you’re at with stuff like this,” Watson said. “One day you’ll feel really good and then the next day you won’t feel so good. I’ve had quite a few days now where it’s felt really good, so I definitely feel like I’m in the right place.”

Savage played 53 of 56 snaps against the Giants. On his final play, he missed a tackle on Saquon Barkley’s long run that ended with a fumble and recovery that set up the Packers for the go-ahead score.

He is in that big group of players who are questionable. If he can’t play, Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford presumably would get the start. Ford started the first seven games and Owens started the last seven games.

Linebacker Quay Walker (shoulder), who was inactive last week after leading the team in tackles against the Chiefs, practiced for a second consecutive day and is questionable. So are running back Aaron Jones (knee) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), who practiced all three days this week.

“He did what he needed to do today,” LaFleur said of Jones.

Left guard Elgton Jenkins (shoulder), who did not practice on Thursday, returned to practice on Friday. He is not on the final report. Nor is receiver Jayden Reed.

For the Buccaneers, cornerback Carlton Davis is out and defensive tackle Vita Vea is doubtful.

Packers Final Injury Report

Doubtful: Christian Watson (hamstring).

Questionable: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), RB AJ Dillon (thumb), RB Aaron Jones (knee), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), CB Eric Stokes (hamstring), LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle).