Packers-Panthers Injury Report: Campbell Eager To Help Defense

Veteran defensive back Ibraheim Campbell, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday, was a full participant at Wednesday’s practice and could eventually fill a big hole in the Green Bay Packers’ defense.

Second-year safety Raven Greene capably handled the dime-linebacker duties at Chicago in Week 1 but suffered a season-ending ankle injury the next game against Minnesota. Most of those duties have fallen upon Adrian Amos. The return of Campbell would allow Amos to move back to his natural position.

“I think I can help this defense,” Campbell said. “I look forward to when that opportunity presents itself to doing so. So, when Raven went down I kind of knew why I was here to be able to fill in with worst-case-scenario kind of thing. I’m looking forward to when the time comes.”

Campbell was signed by the Packers on Nov. 5. Of his 114 snaps last season, 33 came in the box and another 18 came at various spots at the line of scrimmage, according to Pro Football Focus, before he suffered a torn ACL against Arizona on Dec. 2. The Packers took the unusual step of re-signing Campbell early in training camp, even though he wasn’t fully healthy. Campbell sat out all of training camp and spent the start of the season on the PUP list until hitting the practice field for the first time on Oct. 16.

“I’m grateful to the Packers for giving me the opportunity,” Campbell said. “I had been back a couple times because this is the team I got injured, so just with checkups and that type of thing, and along that time they had been keeping tabs and seeing how I was doing. Everything was going pretty well. I kind of knew in the back of my mind that I left a good impression and you can only hope. I was definitely fortunate especially being that I wasn’t able to participate right off the bat that they signed me.”

Campbell was a fourth-round pick in 2015 by Cleveland; Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine was the Browns’ coach. He has 88 tackles in 46 career games (12 starts).

“He’s just another versatile guy that played a lot last year and he’ll certainly be able to add a spark with our special teams, but also as a safety, as a dime linebacker,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “You can put him a lot of different places. He’s a very, very intelligent guy, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

The Packers listed 16 players on their initial injury report. The player to watch this week might be Amos, who did not practice due to a hamstring injury.

Several Panthers starters, including running back Christian McCaffrey, did not practice.

PACKERS INJURY REPORT

Did not participate: S Adrian Amos (hamstring), TE Jimmy Graham (rest), CB Tramon Williams (rest).

Limited: WR Davante Adams (toe), RT Bryan Bulaga (rest), CB Kevin King (groin), TE Robert Tonyan (hip), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (ankle/knee).

Full: ILB Oren Burks (pectoral), DT Kenny Clark (shin), RB Aaron Jones (shoulder), WR Jake Kumerow (shoulder), ILB Blake Martinez (hand), S Will Redmond (elbow), QB Aaron Rodgers (knee), OLB Preston Smith (hand).

PANTHERS INJURY REPORT

Did not participate: CB James Bradberry (groin), DT Vernon Butler (back), OT Greg Little (concussion), DT Gerald McCoy (knee), RB Christian McCaffrey (knee), S Eric Reid (ankle), WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring).

Limited: None.

Full: DE Mario Addison (not injury related), QB Kyle Allen (right shoulder), DE/OLB Christian Miller (ankle), ILB Shaq Thompson (ankle).

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