Packers-Bears Wednesday Injury Report

The Green Bay Packers will kick off the 2023 NFL season at the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Who did not practice on Wednesday?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Jordan Love will make his debut as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback on Sunday at the Chicago Bears.

Just who he’ll be throwing the football to is the big question.

After an off-day on Tuesday, the Packers got back to work on Wednesday. The team’s top two receivers, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, did not practice. They will get the week to get ready for the game is about all coach Matt LaFleur would say about their status for Sunday.

“They are at a totally different stage of their career,” than a veteran such as Davante Adams or Allen Lazard,” LaFleur said, “but they’re also our most experienced. So, we’ll give them up until game time and see where they’re at.”

With no experienced depth behind them, it could lead to an enormously challenging situation.

“Yeah, it is what it is,” LaFleur said. “But, you know, we’re excited. We’ve got a plan in place and we’ll play the guys that are available and ready to go. The one thing about this league is nobody cares. You’ve got to find a way to get it done, and I think our guys have taken that mindset no matter who’s out there. The expectations remain the same and that is to go out there and play winning football. So, we’ll get our guys ready to go.”

Doubs missed the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 26 with a hamstring injury and hasn’t practiced since.

“I’ll leave those answers to coach,” Doubs said on Aug. 30. “My job is just to keep taking everything day by day.” He added: “I feel good. Everything’s good, just progressing every day.”

LaFleur didn’t really provide those answers. Even with the injury report set to be released within the hour, LaFleur wouldn’t disclose Watson’s ailment.

Officially, like Doubs, it’s a hamstring injury for Watson.

The Packers’ receiver corps is incredibly young under the best of circumstances. The six-deep group on the 53-man roster includes 2022 draft picks Watson, Doubs and Samori Toure and rookies Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath. Toure, Reed, Wicks, Heath and practice-squad players Grant DuBose and Bo Melton went through drills on Wednesday.

“I can’t wait to see what these guys are able to do on gameday,” LaFleur said.

Asked about Toure, who might be the only non-rookie receiver on the field, LaFleur said: “He’s so much more comfortable within the offense. He has a complete command and grasp of the offense.”

On the bright side: Wicks, the talented fifth-round pick from Virginia who had a strong training camp when he was able to practice, returned to practice on Wednesday following his own hamstring injury.

Left tackle David Bakhtiari was in the back of the Don Hutson Center riding a bike alongside Watson.

Outside linebacker Rashan Gary practiced again, too, and is on course to play in Week 1 following last year’s ACL. He will be on a snap count, LaFleur said.

“We all know how valuable Rashan Gary is,” LaFleur said. “He is a game wrecker. You can feel just the level of intensity raise when he’s out on the field. And I think we’ve all witnessed that, but we’ve got to be smart with him.”

Packers Injury Report

DNP: LT David Bakhtiari (rest/knee), WR Romeo Doubs (hamstring), WR Christian Watson (hamstring).

Limited: OLB Rashan Gary (knee), WR Dontayvion Wicks (hamstring).

Full: S Anthony Johnson (knee).

Bears Injury Report

DNP: LB Dylan Cole (hamstring).

Limited: S Jaquan Brisker (groin), S Eddie Jackson (ankle), DE DeMarcus Walker (calf).

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