The Green Bay Packers are playing all of their healthy starters against the Chicago Bears in Week 18, head coach Matt LaFleur announced earlier this week. He believes there is value in his starters going out and playing well after they played poorly in Green Bay’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week.
After practice, though, Josh Jacobs (who was one of three Packers players named to the Pro Bowl this morning), revealed that while he is going to play and push to play a lot, he probably will not see as many carries as usual as Green Bay has already clinched a spot in the NFL Playoffs.
One does have to wonder just how much healthy starters will play on Sunday given that they will have a much bigger game the following week in the postseason.
The key word, of course, is “healthy,” and there are seven players who did not practice on Thursday for a variety of reasons. Here, they are ranked by the level of concern fans should have in regards to their absence from least to great.
7. Green Bay Packers Offensive Tackle Andre Dillard
Dillard has only played 13 offensive snaps all season. He was inactive last week due to a concussion and remains in protocol. His absence will not be felt.
6. Green Bay Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander
Yesterday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur revealed that two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander will be out for the rest of the season due to knee surgery. The loss of their best cornerback is certainly very concerning, but since he will be out for the rest of the year anyway, he is not among the most concerning players who did not practice who are going to be relied upon to play yet this year.
5. Green Bay Packers Linebacker Quay Walker
Linebacker Quay Walker has been out for the last several weeks with a sprained ankle, While Green Bay’s linebacker group lacks depth, his absence at least opens up more playing time for star rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
4. Green Bay Packers Safety Zayne Anderson
With rookie safety Evan Williams (more on him in a minute) still unable practice, Anderson was the Packers’ starting safety with Javon Bullard playing the nickel. He sustained a concussion in last week’s loss to the Vikings and the defense was noticeably worse without him. Bullard struggles in the strong safety role, so if Anderson is not able to play, that will severely hurt the product on the field.
3. Green Bay Packers Safety Evan Williams
As mentioned, Williams is still not able to practice because of a quad injury. His absence is felt because he is the ideal second starting safety opposite Xavier McKinney. His inability to play changes the way the entire secondary lines up because Keisean Nixon has to move from the boundary to the nickel while Bullard moves to safety, as previously mentioned.
2. Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson
1. Green Bay Packers Pass Rusher Brenton Cox
Since Green Bay traded Preston Smith, second-year pass rusher Brenton Cox has seen more playing time. Prior to the trade, he did not play at all. In seven games, he has 4.0 sacks and the best pressure rate on the team. The Packers struggle to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks as is, so him being out will certainly not help.
