The Green Bay Packers ruled out cornerback Jaire Alexander, tackle Andre Dillard, linebacker Quay Walker and safety Evan Williams, and also listed cornerback Javon Bullard, linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper and receiver Christian Watson as questionable on the final pregame injury report against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17.
How will the injury affect Sunday’s clash?
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Packers’ final injury report heading into Week 17:
Exit (4)
CB Jaire Alexander (knee): He will miss his sixth straight game since suffering a knee injury in Week 11 in Chicago. It is unclear when Alexander will return. Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes should be on the field on Sunday.
OT Andre Dillard (concussion): The reserve attacker suffered a concussion and did not take part in the game on Friday. He will have to go through league protocol before he returns. The Packers will likely have Kadeem Telfort, Travis Glover and Jacob Monk as reserve offensive players on Sunday.
LB Quay Walker (ankle): Walker did not practice all week and will miss a second straight game. Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson will handle snaps at linebacker.
Sr. Evan Williams (fourth): Williams missed the second game in a row after suffering a quadriceps injury during Saturday’s training. The Packers weren’t sure if he would be able to return before the postseason. Javon Bullard could return and handle safety snaps, and Zayne Anderson could start again.
Doubtful (3)
DB Javon Bullard (ankle): He missed the last two games but returned this week and participated in three restricted practices. The rookie played in the slot and at safety, but the Packers are more concerned with safety this week. If he gets in his spot, Keisean Nixon can safely retreat to the outside and Zayne Anderson will be secure. Or he could safely take over Evan Williams’ photos.
LB Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle): He trained with a restricted squad on Thursday and Friday, so there is a real chance he will play on Sunday. Hopper was, above all, an exceptional teammate as a rookie.
WR Christian Watson (knee): He injured his knee on Monday night and hasn’t practiced at all this week, but the Packers don’t give him a chance to play on Sunday. We’ll see. It’s possible that Watson is more questionable than truly questionable. It is occasional for a player not to practice during the week and play on Sunday, especially in a low week.
No status indication
The Packers removed cornerback Corey Ballentine, left guard Elgton Jenkins, tight end Tucker Kraft and running back Luke Musgrave from the injury report. They will be able to play on Sunday. Jenkins did not practice on Thursday but returned on Friday, while Kraft was a full participant on Friday.
Vikings injury report
The Vikings ruled out linebacker Fabian Moreau (hip) and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (hamstring) they deemed questionable. Pace returns from injured reserve. The remaining seven players listed on the Vikings’ injury report, including backup Harrison Smith, participated with the full squad Friday. Kevin O’Connell’s team is without cornerback Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who are on injured reserve, but is otherwise a vigorous team heading into Week 17.
