The Green Bay Packers will go into Sunday afternoon’s game against the Arizona Cardinals as seven point favorites, but they seem to very much be victims of the injury bug going around the league at this time of year.
The Packers have three players who are out for Sunday’s week 7 game, alongside a further seven who are questionable to play – almost all of whom are starters or significant role players – as reported by The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
Zach Tom, Josh Jacobs, Nate Hobbs, Dontayvion Wicks, Anthony Belton, Brandon McManus and Jacob Monk are QUESTIONABLE.
Jacobs was upgraded to full participation but added a calf injury.
Packers Will Be Missing Multiple Defensive Linemen In Week 7
“Christian Watson, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt are OUT for Sunday against the Cardinals.” Schneidman wrote on Friday.
“Zach Tom, Josh Jacobs, Nate Hobbs, Dontayvion Wicks, Anthony Belton, Brandon McManus and Jacob Monk are QUESTIONABLE.
Jacobs was upgraded to full participation but added a calf injury. Hobbs added to the report with a knee injury and was limited.”
Some of those injuries have been mainstays for the organization for the past few weeks: Tom is working his way back from an oblique tear suffered early on in the season, and Watson is slowly coming closer and closer to his return from a horrific knee injury suffered in early January, since being activated off of injured reserve.
But others are more new developments, like Van Ness’ foot injury that occurred in last weekend’s victory against Cincinnati.
What Will The Packers’ Player Availability Look Like In Week 7?
Just prior to the game, Packers’ Wire reported that team made running back, Josh Jacobs, active.
“The big news: Josh Jacobs, who has a calf injury, is officially active after going through an on-field workout on Sunday.” Writer, Zach Kruse, wrote on Sunday. “The Packers also made Pierre Strong Jr. inactive, so there must be confidence in Jacobs’ ability to get through Sunday.”
Ultimately, Green Bay will manage to field all three of their top running back options – Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson and third down back, Chris Brooks, on Sunday.
Brandon McManus is also ultimately not available to play, with backup Lukas Havrisik filling in on Sunday afternoon in his absence.
Nevertheless, having both Wyatt and Van Ness away from the team will prove another test for this Packers pass rush, to see if they are able to generate pressure with their top-two guys, Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons, alongside more depth-style options like JJ Enagbare and Colby Wooden.
What Is The Ceiling For The Packers This Season Post-Injuries?
The injuries are starting to mount, but irregardless fans and media know that if all the pieces can fit into place that Green Bay has the opportunity to be one of the more dangerous teams in the entire National Football League.
The receiving corps will get back two excellent wideouts in Watson and Jayden Reed at some point over the next few weeks; Wyatt is not far from returning; and Tom at some point will come back and complete the bookend on the offensive line.
If the Packers get a clean bill of health, the ceiling is as high as the franchise wants it to be.
Packers DL Duo Headlines Hefty Week 7 Injury Report