On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers released the team’s first Week 16 injury report. The team will release two more injury reports, including a final injury report on Saturday with official game status indications prior to their game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
Here’s everything you need to know from the Packers’ first Week 16 injury report:
Who didn’t participate?
Rookie defensive tackle Javon Bullard and linebacker Quay Walker both have ankle injuries. Bullard missed last week’s win in Seattle, and Walker was injured in the first half of Sunday night’s win. The Packers consider these to be “week-to-week” injuries, so Bullard may have a chance to return, but Walker likely won’t be able to play against the Saints.
Did Jaire Alexander exercise?
Yes, and on Thursday he was a full participant again. Last week, Alexander ran a full program on Wednesday and Thursday, then shut down on Friday. The Packers didn’t see the movement skills necessary to make the play, so Alexander missed his fourth straight game. He will have another week to prove he is physically capable of returning from a knee ligament injury.
Any fresh injuries worth knowing about?
Just Walker. The Packers listed only five players on the first injury report, which is the lowest number of the season.
Has anyone been removed from the damage report?
Player group deleted. Ten to be exact. Kenny Clark, Edgerrin Cooper, Romeo Doubs, Travis Glover, Elgton Jenkins, Isaiah McDuffie, Josh Myers, Lukas Van Ness, Rasheed Walker and Evan Williams were removed from the Week 15 injury report. The Packers are as robust as they have been all season.
Who are the injured players to watch this week?
Alexander must prove that he is ready to return. The Packers need him robust in the postseason, but he will play if he’s ready this week. Bullard may have an outside chance of returning, but not practicing on Thursday is not a good sign. The same goes for Walker. Luke Musgrave was circumscribed again on Thursday, but the Packers can activate him from injured reserve at any time.
Packers injury report
CB Jaire Alexander (knee) – FULL
CB Corey Ballentine (knee) – LIMITED
S. Javon Bullard (ankle) – DNP
TE Luke Musgrave (ankle) – LIMITED
LB Quay Walker (ankle) – DNP
What to know from the Saints injury report?
Quarterback Derek Carr (hand), running back Alvin Kamara (groin), receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) and Bub Means (ankle) and linebacker Chase Young (illness) did not practice Thursday. Carr and Kamara will not play on Monday night. Receiver Chris Olave was circumscribed with a head injury. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was circumscribed due to a shoulder injury. Tight end Juwann Johnson was circumscribed with a foot injury. The Saints also have injured Taysom Hill and cornerback Paulson Adebo on injured reserve.
