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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jimmy Liao MD

Lions vs Packers: Final injury report medical analysis

Despite lengthy injury reports for both teams, most of the listed players will be ready for the 1st-place divisional showdown at Lambeau.

The rainy weather in Green Bay may be a factor for the biggest question mark going into this game which is Jordan Love’s groin. Instead of a frozen tundra, the field will be more like a soggy swamp. The wet, slippery field could increase the chance of a groin aggravation.

It will be interesting to watch whether wetter weather tethers Love to the bench altogether.


DETROIT LIONS

Jared Goff QB (NP FP FP – In) ankle

Goff suffered a right low ankle sprain in the 1st quarter last game and played through. Video suggested mild severity and with a good tape job, the ankle shouldn’t be an issue on Sunday.

Malcolm Rodriguez LB (NP NP NP – Out) ankle

Very early last game on punt coverage, video showed a Titans player crashing into Rodriguez from the side which was worrisome for a left high ankle sprain or even a fracture. Fortunately, he dodged any serious injury and it’s just a mild ankle sprain. While he won’t play this week, he might be back next week vs the Texans.

Taylor Decker OT (NP LP FP – In) chest

Unsure what the exact injury is here. The “chest” designation can refer to a lung injury which would be concerning but I have not heard any reports suggesting that. I reviewed all his plays in the 2nd half and didn’t notice anything. The pec and ribs are in the chest area but are usually listed as such. Fortunately, whatever the injury is, it’s not serious and he’ll be ready for Sunday.

Josh Paschal DE (NP NP NP – Out) illness

Paschal has not practiced for two whole weeks and missed last game due to this illness. It’s probably not a routine illness like a respiratory infection or gastroenteritis, but fortunately, it isn’t anything serious like a recurrence of his melanoma.

Dan Campbell on Friday stated: “nothing long-term, we’re hopeful we’ll get him back next week.”

Mekhi Wingo DT (UL LP NP – Doubtful) ankle

This 6th-round rookie played 39% of snaps last game which is his usual. An ankle injury presumably occurred during the week in practice and will keep him out this weekend.

Sione Vaki RB (NP FP NP – Doubtful) knee

Video review showed that he came up limping on punt coverage in the 4th quarter with an injury to his right leg. He didn’t go down and didn’t need help coming off the field which hopefully signifies something minor.

It was a roller coaster at practice this week as he went from NP to FP back to NP. The doubtful designation puts him out but suggests the injury is not long-term and he has a chance to be back next week.

Brodric Martin DT (FP FP FP – Out) knee

Martin suffered a right knee hyperextension on August 24 and his practice window opened October 30. He is out this week but should be activated at the latest by November 20. Martin’s timeline could get shortened depending on injuries at DT like with Wingo.

Dan Campbell on Friday stated “He looks like he’s fresh…. Do we feel like after this three weeks, can he help us?”

Frank Ragnow C (NP FP FP – In) rest

Kevin Zeitler OG (NP FP FP – In) rest

Levi Onwuzurike DT (NP FP FP – In) rest

DJ Reader DT (NP FP FP – In) rest

Graham Glasgow OG (NP FP FP – In) rest

NOTABLES

Jameson Williams WR

Williams is serving the second and final game of his suspension. He should be back next week vs the Texans.


GREEN BAY PACKERS

Jordan Love QB (NP LP LP – Questionable) groin

The reassuring MRI result and the return to practice on Thursday and Friday suggest Love has a good chance of playing this weekend.

Jaire Alexander CB (NP NP NP – Questionable) knee

This starting CB played 100% of snaps last game but was hurt on the final defensive play in the 4th quarter. The video was limited so it was hard to see what happened. An MRI this week was negative which reassures that it’s not long-term, but with 3x NP, he’s likely out vs the Lions.

Josh Jacobs RB (NP LP LP – Questionable) ankle

This offseason free agent addition has been excellent for the Packers this year with 667 rushing yards and 4.6 yards per carry. He hurt his ankle this past Sunday, but he has stated himself that he expects to play vs the Lions.

Josh Myers C (NP NP NP – Doubtful) wrist

Myers is the starting center and played all snaps last game. He’s almost certainly out which could have a big impact on the game.

Quay Walker LB (FP FP FP – In) concussion

Walker missed last game due to concussion but is on track to play Sunday.

Kenny Clark NT (LP LP LP – In) toe/shoulder

Clark is an important part of the defensive line logging 70% of snaps this year.

Rasheed Walker OT (NP LP LP – In) knee

Walker is the starting LT and played all snaps last game.

Elgton Jenkins G (NP LP LP – In) glute

Jenkins is a starting OG and played last game through this glute injury.

Devonte Wyatt DT (LP LP LP – In) ankle

This former 1st-round pick in 2022 has missed three games this year but typically plays around 50% of snaps when he’s available.

Corey Ballentine DB (LP LP LP – Questionable) ankle

This CB has had minimal defensive snaps this year. He missed last game but has a chance to play this Sunday.

Evan Williams S (NP NP NP – Out) hamstring

Williams is a 4th-round rookie who has started 2 games for the Packers this year.

Lukas Van Ness DE (UL UL LP – In) ankle

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