Packers-Lions Final Injury Report: Return of Aaron Jones, Christian Watson?
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson are questionable for Thursday night’s showdown against the Detroit Lions.
Their return is potentially great news for the offense against a powerful defense. The bad news: Left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Elgton Jenkins are out again and right tackle Zach Tom is questionable.
The Packers ended Sunday’s victory over the Saints with seven starters out of the lineup. Here they are, and their status for Thursday from coach Matt LaFleur:
RB Aaron Jones: Questionable.
WR Christian Watson: Questionable.
LT David Bakhtiari: Out.
LG Elgton Jenkins: Out.
RT Zach Tom: Questionable.
CB Jaire Alexander: Questionable.
LB De’Vondre Campbell: Out.
While the potential returns of Jones and Watson would provide a lift for an inconsistent offense, not having Bakhtiari – again – could be a massive problem against Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson. The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week has two sacks in three games this season and had two sacks and one interception in the two games against Green Bay last season.
Nonetheless, the importance of Jones can’t be overstated considering how horrendous the rushing attack has been through three games and the strength of the opponent.
With Jones getting nine carries in Week 1 at Chicago before suffering a hamstring injury, the Packers are averaging a 26th-ranked 3.43 yards per carry. The Lions’ defense ranks fifth with 3.18 yards allowed per carry.
Skewed by his two big catches vs. the Bears, Jones is averaging 11.5 yards per touch compared to 4.3 for Patrick Taylor, 3.1 for AJ Dillon and 2.8 for Emanuel Wilson.
While receiver Romeo Doubs proclaimed “We’ll have 3-3 back” for Thursday, LaFleur touched the brakes a bit.
“Certainly, we all want him out there,” LaFleur said after Tuesday’s practice. “We know how valuable he is to our football team in so many aspects, whether he’s got the ball or not. But we want to make sure he’s able to protect himself and not going to be at further risk for injury.”
The Packers are 2-1 without Watson, who injured a hamstring at practice almost four weeks ago. Watson on Tuesday said “that’s the plan” when asked if he’d make his debut against the Lions but, as with Jones, LaFleur tempered expectations by noting Watson had to get clearance from the training staff first.
Watson, who was arguably Green Bay’s best offensive player in last year’s Week 18 loss against Detroit with his five catches for 104 yards, should fit nicely with the team’s field-stretching offense with quarterback Jordan Love.
“I didn’t really have any setbacks throughout the process,” Watson said. “The injury was what it was. It took a little while to come back from.”
The Packers believe they dodged a bullet when Tom slipped awkwardly late against New Orleans. While he was able to finish the game-winning drive, he missed the last few snaps of the game.
Without Bakhtiari, Rasheed Walker will start a third consecutive game at left tackle. If Tom isn’t ready, Yosh Nijman presumably would get the start at right tackle.
To state the obvious, the possibility of not having three starting offensive linemen against a defense that ranks sixth in yards allowed per play could spell doom, no matter if Jones and Watson are on the field.
Packers RB Aaron Jones vs. the Lions in 2021.
Photo by Mark Hoffman/USA Today Sports Images
The Lions could have offensive line issues, as well. Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai is out and left tackle Taylor Decker and left guard Jonah Jackson are among five players who are questionable.
Decker suffered a high-ankle sprain and bone bruise early in the team’s Week 1 victory at the Chiefs. After some time in a walking boot, he told reporters in Detroit on Tuesday that he intends to be back in the lineup.
“It’s going to hurt but, as long as I can be functional, I can deal with the pain,” Decker said. “I've done it plenty of times before. I'm confident I can go out there and help us win, so it'll be fun being back out there with everybody.”
Running back David Montgomery, the team’s leading rusher despite being inactive last week, and safety Kerby Joseph, who picked off Aaron Rodgers twice at Ford Field and once at Lambeau Field as a rookie last year, are questionable.
“We’re kind of wait and see here,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Joseph.
Every player who is questionable on the injury reports was deemed limited participation on Wednesday. That is an estimation, though, as neither team practiced.
Packers Final Injury Report
Out: S Zayne Anderson (hamstring), LB De’Vondre Campbell (knee), LT David Bakhtiari (knee/rest), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee).
Questionable: WR Christian Watson (hamstring), CB Jaire Alexander (back), RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), CB Carrington Valentine (bicep), RT Zach Tom (knee).
Lions Final Injury Report
Out: T Matt Nelson (ankle), RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee), FB Jason Cabinda (knee).
Questionable: LT Taylor Decker (ankle), LG Jonah Jackson (thigh), S Kerby Joseph (hip), RB David Montgomery (thigh), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring).
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