Packers-Bears Inactives: Superb Starter Out for Wild-Card Playoff Game

The Green Bay Packers will play without right tackle Zach Tom for the Saturday night NFC wild-card game against the rival Chicago Bears. Here’s who’s in and who’s out for both teams.

Green Bay Packers right tackcle Zach Tom is inactive for the playoff game at the Chicago Bears. | Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images

CHICAGO – Standout right tackle Zach Tom is inactive for the Green Bay Packers’ NFC wild-card game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday night.

Tom suffered a knee injury in the loss at Denver in Week 15. He missed the end of the game and the final three regular-season games. While he practiced before the Week 18 game against Minnesota and was limited participation to start this practice week, he did not practice on Thursday.

Coach Matt LaFleur called it a “rest day,” and Tom after practice said he didn’t want to discuss whether the day off was helpful.

Tom finished fourth in the All-Pro vote this year after finishing third last year. He did not allow a sack, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tom played in 12 games during the regular season. In the 10 games in which he played 30-plus snaps, the Packers went 8-2, meaning they went 1-4-1 when he was out or played limited snaps.

“Really tough,” Tom said of his season. “I’m not used to a season like this, so it’s all new. But it’s part of the game, right? Just sucks when it’s you.”

Jordan Morgan, last year’s first-round pick, started at right tackle in late-season losses to Chicago and Baltimore before moving to left tackle last week. Morgan allowed a sack against the Bears – the end-of-regulation takedown of Malik Willis – but yielded just one pressure against Baltimore.

On Tuesday, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said “I would expect” Tom to play against Chicago.

“I think that would be a huge get,” he said. “He’s our most consistent offensive lineman. He’s one of the best I think in the league at his position. So, that would definitely be a boost.”

While Tom wouldn’t discuss the injury on Thursday, he did on Wednesday. Asked if he expected to play, Tom paused for a long time before saying, “That was the plan. No, I’d just say it’s too early to tell. I’ve got to see how I’m feeling tomorrow.”

Tomorrow was Thursday, and Tom didn’t practice.

Montez Sweat led the Bears with 10 sacks but no other edge rusher had even two. Chicago finished 21st in sack percentage, part of a unit that ranked 31st in total defense and 23rd in points allowed.

More Packers Inactives

Also inactive for the Packers will be receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion), who was ruled out on Friday.

Wicks suffered a concussion against Baltimore in Week 17 and was inactive at Minnesota for Week 18. This week, he was limited participation at practice all week but, as was the case for quarterback Jordan Love for the Baltimore game, he was unable to clear the protocol.

Wicks finished fifth on the team with 30 receptions, fifth with 332 yards and fourth with two touchdowns. He caught two passes for 12 yards in the two games against Chicago this year. He scored both touchdowns in Green Bay’s 17-9 win over Chicago in Week 18 of 2023.

Cornerback Jaylin Simpson, defensive end Collin Oliver and receiver Jakobie Keeney-James are inactive, as well. All three are healthy scratches.

Desmond Ridder is the emergency third quarterback.

“Just a guy that we’ve probably had a little bit more exposure to in regards to he’s played in more games,” LaFleur said of the decision to go with Ridder over Clayton Tune, last week’s thrown-to-the-wolves starter. “I know he just got here, however he is accustomed to a lot of the terminology that is found in our offense. He was with (Luke) Getsy with the Raiders and he’s been spending a lot of time with Sean Mannion and has been picking it up pretty well.”

Packers Who Are Active

Active for the Packers are backup quarterback Malik Willis, who was inactive for the Minnesota game due to a shoulder injury sustained on the sack that Morgan allowed against Chicago, and linebacker Nick Niemann, who suffered a torn pectoral against Pittsburgh in Week 9. He was activated from injured reserve this week and questionable on Thursday’s injury report.

While he plays different spots on special teams, he’ll help offset the loss of cornerback/receiver Bo Melton, who was placed on injured reserve this week.

Defensive back Javon Bullard (knee) and defensive tackle Warren Brinson (foot), both of whom were questionable, will play, as well.

Unlike the first two games, Green Bay will go with five defensive tackles with Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks joined by Jonathan Ford, Nazir Stackhouse and Brinson.

Bears Inactives

Inactives for #GBvsCHI: pic.twitter.com/4aD2cJiGrv

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 10, 2026

For the Bears, nickel defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion) is out. He’s a starter but will be replaced by another starter, Kyler Gordon, who is back after missing the last five games with a groin injury sustained before the game at Lambeau.

With the return of Rome Odunze to the lineup, Jahdae Walker, who scored a touchdown to send the Week 16 game to overtime, is inactive.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY PACKERS NEWSLETTER