Big Injury News for Packers-Lions Showdown

The Green Bay Packers are expected to get a major lift on offense for their big NFC North clash against the Detroit Lions tonight.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Last season, Christian Watson led the Green Bay Packers with nine touchdowns. Aaron Jones was second with seven.

On Thursday night against the Detroit Lions, Watson and Jones will be on the field together for the first time this season.

That’s the Thursday morning injury update from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Of course, this has been the expectation since Tuesday, when receiver Romeo Doubs said Jones was going to play and Watson himself indicated that he would play, as well.

Officially, both players are questionable. Given the nature of their injuries, it’s logical that both players will be on limited snaps.

Jones suffered a hamstring injury at the end of a 35-yard touchdown catch vs. Chicago in Week 1. In about 2 1/2 quarters, Jones rushed for 41 yards and one touchdown on nine carries and had 86 yards and one touchdown on two receptions. That’s 11 touches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

Thrust into the No. 1 role, AJ Dillon has carried 39 times for 107 yards (2.7 average) and added three receptions for 25 yards. That’s 132 total yards (five more than Jones) on 42 touches (31 more than Jones).

Green Bay’s running game, which was supposed to be a strength, has fallen flat to start the season. The team has three runs of longer than 10 yards: a 24-yard scramble by quarterback Jordan Love last week, a 14-yard catch of a backward pass to Dillon on what essentially was a screen last week and an 11-yard run on an end-around by defensive back/kick returner Keisean Nixon last week.

Photo by Tork Mason/USA Today Sports Images

Watson suffered a hamstring injury at practice exactly four weeks ago, delaying the launch to a second season filled with enormous expectations. After a slow start to his rookie season, he scored eight touchdowns during the final eight games. With his game-breaking speed, he had four plays of at least 45 yards; Jones’ 51-yard catch vs. Chicago is the team’s only play of 40-plus yards this year.

He should fit well in Green Bay’s aggressive passing attack.

“I think he brings more than just that,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s a guy that brings a sense of calm out there, as well, because you can put him in any spot. If somebody needs a breather, you can throw him in at any spot and he can go in there and execute.

“He’s so smart. He knows what to do. If there’s any indecision, whether it’s another receiver or, shoot, probably even a tight end or whoever, he can help Jordan out in that process, making sure we get our guys on the same page and the communication’s really strong. That gives us an opportunity to go out there and execute.”

Even without Watson, Love has accounted for eight touchdowns (seven passing) and one turnover. Of the team’s 51 completions, 26 have gone to rookies (11 by tight end Luke Musgrave, nine by receiver Jayden Reed and six by receiver Dontayvion Wicks). Reed trails only Doubs with two touchdowns.

The return of Jones and Watson is huge news for the Packers. The question is whether they’ll even be able to make an impact with the potential of three-fifths of the starting offensive line being inactive.

The Packers weren’t the only team with O-line issues entering the week. However, after reporting that Lions left tackle Taylor Decker would miss a third consecutive game with an ankle injury, Pelissero said Decker and running back David Montgomery (thigh) were expected to play.

That’s huge news for the Lions. With swing tackle Matt Nelson out with an ankle injury and veteran Dan Skipper dealing with a hamstring issue, the Lions might have had to start fifth-round rookie Colby Sorsdal. Instead, they’ll roll with Decker and Sewell at tackle.

Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai was ruled out on Wednesday.

Packers Final Injury Report

Out: S Zayne Anderson (hamstring), LB De’Vondre Campbell (knee), LT David Bakhtiari (knee/rest), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee).

Questionable: WR Christian Watson (hamstring), CB Jaire Alexander (back), RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), CB Carrington Valentine (bicep), RT Zach Tom (knee).

Lions Final Injury Report

Out: T Matt Nelson (ankle), RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee), FB Jason Cabinda (knee).

Questionable: LT Taylor Decker (ankle), LG Jonah Jackson (thigh), S Kerby Joseph (hip), RB David Montgomery (thigh), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring).

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