Packers Injury Report
Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Barrington, Sam | LB | Hamstring | FP | FP | FP | Probable |
Boyd, Josh | DT | Knee | FP | FP | FP | Probable |
Boykin, Jarrett | WR | Groin | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Jones, Datone | DE | Ankle | LP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Lattimore, Jamari | LB | Neck | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Shields, Sam | CB | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Williams, Tramon | CB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
I mentioned in the key matchups article that the injuries to Sam Shields and Tramon Williams will have an impact on the game. Whether Williams is in or not, his status is still up in the air for Sunday meaning his injury is going to affect him if he does play. Look for Davon House and Casey Hayward to pick up the slack. Datone Jones is a starter for the Packers, so Josh Boyd (also on this report) will step in for him. Boyd is listed as depth at both D-end positions. Jarrett Boykin is injured but even if he can't go rookie Davante Adams has filled in nicely in his absence. Jamari Lattimore won the starting position at linebacker from Brad Jones in the offseason, but Jones will start if Lattimore can't go. Defensively the Packers appear to be pretty banged up, but they have solid depth to fill in. If they are able to generate pass rush from Matthews and Peppers the secondary issues will be difficult to exploit.
Panthers Injury Report
Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Benjamin, Kelvin | WR | Concussion | DNP | DNP | FP | Questionable |
Benwikere, Bené | CB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Blackburn, Chase | LB | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Cole, Colin | DT | Not Injury Related | - | - | DNP | Probable |
Davis, Thomas | LB | Not Injury Related | DNP | FP | FP | Probable |
Edwards, Dwan | DT | Not Injury Related | DNP | FP | FP | Probable |
Harper, Roman | S | Not Injury Related | DNP | FP | FP | Probable |
Johnson, Charles | DE | Not Injury Related | - | DNP | FP | Probable |
Norman, Josh | CB | Concussion | LP | LP | FP | Probable |
Olsen, Greg | TE | Ankle | DNP | FP | FP | Probable |
Reaves, Darrin | RB | Calf | LP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
Silatolu, Amini | G | Calf | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Stewart, Jonathan | RB | Knee | FP | FP | FP | Probable |
Whittaker, Fozzy | RB | Thigh | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Williams, DeAngelo | RB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
The Panthers injury report is considerably longer, but five of the players listed appear to have been given veteran days off. The big talking points here are that Greg Olsen and Jonathan Stewart will play. Stewart should take bell cow duties with Fozzy Whittaker now doubtful and Darrin Reaves questionable. DeAngelo Williams is still out. Josh Norman will return to the lineup, it remains to be seen whether he will take over full starting duties again or split reps with Melvin White. Bene Benwikere is again doubtful so the Panthers will use Charles Godfrey as a nickel once again, where he struggled. Look for the Packers to attack that.
Chase Blackburn is unlikely to play so AJ Klein will get the bulk of snaps in base 4-3 defense and will be the primary rotational guy should Kuechly or Davis need a rest or get injured (PLS GOD NO). Amini Silatolu likely won't play but Fernando Velasco filled in fine last week for him. Trai Turner seems to have come up to speed with the NFL. On a side note I believe Velasco was one of Gettleman's best pickups this offseason, he's versatile and has been a good rotational guy for the young guys Turner and Silatolu.
The big story here is that Kelvin Benjamin is questionable with a concussion. While Benjamin has returned to practice and Ron Rivera is optimistic that he will play, the NFL's concussion protocol will not take any chances. Unless he passes all of the tests with flying colors he will not play. With the big emphasis on concussions, Benjamin won't go unless he's absolutely, 100% healthy on the concussion front. This story is developing and we will keep you all updated!