Packers-Chargers Final Injury Report: Rashan Gary Among 3 Questionable
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary was added to the injury report on Friday, joining cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker as starters who are questionable for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I would say it’s not major,” coach Matt LaFleur said of Gary after practice. “Obviously, with him being questionable, we’ll see [about Sunday. It’s] not anything long term that we’re concerned about.”
It’s his shoulder, not the knee that ended last season.
On Fridays, reporters only are allowed to watch the opening stretch inside the Don Hutson Center. Of the players on Green Bay’s 53-man roster, safety Rudy Ford was the only player who did not head outside for the start of practice. He is doubtful.
Alexander practiced again on Friday, the team’s final significant on-the-field work before facing quarterback Justin Herbert, receiver Keenan Allen and the Chargers.
“Him at 80 percent is better than most at 100 percent,” LaFleur said. “But you’ve always got look out for the player. Can they protect themselves? Are they going to put themselves at further risk? If that’s in question in either one of those cases, then you’re not going to put a guy out there. Also, the player’s input. How do they feel?
“We’ll see where he’s at on Sunday and, if he’s good, we’d love to him out there. That’s for sure because he makes us a better team. There’s no question about it.”
After missing three out of four games with a back injury, Alexander suffered an injured shoulder on the pass breakup that was intercepted by Anthony Johnson against the Rams. Alexander played the rest of that game but didn’t practice last week and was inactive for the loss at the Steelers.
This week, Alexander didn’t practice on Wednesday but was limited participation on Thursday.
Afterward, Alexander said he was “slightly” optimistic about his availability for Sunday.
The Packers might be more than “slightly” optimistic now that Alexander practiced on consecutive days.
“Anytime that a guy has been injured and been out and is able to do anything in practice, that’s a good sign,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. “To have him out there today [Thursday] was great.
“When a guy’s been banged up and a guy’s been out and he goes and practices, at least my mindset is always you’re keeping your fingers crossed that when he comes in the next day that he still feels good and doesn’t have a setback. Yeah, of course, it was great to have him out there.”
If Alexander plays, it would set up a premier matchup between himself and Allen, the NFL receptions leader who recently went over 10,000 career receiving yards.
For the second day in a row, the only player who did not practice was Ford. Ford, who ranks second on the team in tackles and passes defensed to go along with his team-leading two interceptions, didn’t practice all week due to a biceps injury.
With Ford missing the practice week and Darnell Savage on injured reserve, the Packers might be down to nothing but backups at safety for Sunday. That means Jonathan Owens will be making his fourth consecutive start for Savage and Johnson probably will make his second career start.
“He did a great job,” LaFleur said of Johnson’s starting debut vs. the Rams. “He had a huge takeaway on the tipped pass, so I thought he played at a really high level. I think he’s a good young player that continues to [improve]. The more experience he gets, the better he shows.”
Linebacker Quay Walker, who missed the last two games with a groin injury, practiced all three days this week and seems poised to return to the lineup. He leads the team in tackles and has reached double-digits in three of his seven games. That he practiced all week is a good sign.
The Chargers are down more than a few starters. Former Packers center Corey Linsley is on the non-football injury list with a heart issue, and receivers Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer are on injured reserve. Moreover, tight end Gerald Everett didn’t practice all week due to a chest injury and is out.
Packers Final Injury Report
Doubtful: S Rudy Ford (bicep).
Questionable: LB Quay Walker (groin), CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), OLB Rashan Gary (shoulder).
Chargers Final Injury Report
Out: S T.J. Woods (illness), TE Gerald Everett (chest).
Limited: WR Keenan Allen (shoulder), WR Jalen Guyton (groin), RB Isaiah Spiller (illness).
