Packers-Giants Final Injury Report: Aaron Jones Among 4 Questionable

Packers running back Aaron Jones participated in all three practices this week. Will he be unleashed on Monday night against the Giants?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones was limited participation on Saturday for the third consecutive day and might be on the cusp of returning to the lineup for Monday night’s game at the New York Giants.

Jones was questionable on coach Matt LaFleur’s final injury report of the week, as were cornerback Jaire Alexander, safety Darnell Savage and cornerback Eric Stokes. Receiver Christian Watson is out and linebacker Quay Walker is doubtful.

Assuming Saturday’s practice went off without a hitch, it will be up to Jones, the coaches and training staff to decide whether he will play on Monday or wait a week and face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday at Lambeau Field.

“I would say just being able to put that foot in the ground and then get up to full speed,” Jones said after Friday’s practice of when he’d know he’d be ready for game action. “The only thing you don’t know is the hit – when you’re taking a hit, you don’t know until that happens. But I feel like it’s more so when you’re running around, you have your full range of motion, you’re able to cut, put your foot in the ground the way you want to.”

Jones missed the last two games with a sprained MCL. After suffering a knee injury during the victory over the Chargers and sitting out wins against the Lions and Chiefs, Saturday’s practice was the last big test for Jones’ potential return.

While the Packers have won those three games, his return would provide a lift as a runner, receiver and leader.

“His dynamic playmaking ability of obviously running the ball but in the pass game, as well,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “But we’re lucky that we have AJ (Dillon). He’s done a really good job this last half of the season, just being our workhorse. He might not be flashy like Aaron Jones but he’s a guy you can just count on to come through and he’s done a good job with all that.”

As is typical for the final practice of the week, reporters only got to see the pre-practice stretch inside the Don Hutson Center. Walker (shoulder) and Watson (hamstring) were the only players who did not go outside for the start of practice.

Dealing with a hamstring injury sustained late in the victory over the Chiefs, Watson didn’t practice this week. The question isn’t so much whether he’ll play against the Giants as it is how many games he’ll miss with his latest hamstring issue.

“Obviously, Christian’s a big part of our offense,” LaFleur said after practice. “He’s really hit his groove. So, that’s obviously not great because it took him a minute to get going within our system this year and it’s a shame. He made so many great plays the last few weeks, but I feel good about the other guys. 

"I think they’ve really developed and we’ve got a lot of guys that can move into different spots to help pick up for that loss. When one guy’s not there, it’s an opportunity for the rest of the group and I think those guys are ready for that challenge.”

Walker, who is coming off a 13-tackle game against the Chiefs, missed all three practices this week. That means Isaiah McDuffie almost certainly will make his seventh start of the season.

“When called upon, he’s always answered the bell,” LaFleur said.

Left guard Elgton Jenkins did not practice on Friday as he wrestles with a sore shoulder, but LaFleur said his absence was the team being cautious. Sure enough, he went out for the start of practice on Saturday and is not listed on the final report.

Alexander practiced all week for a second consecutive week, though it’s worth noting he hasn’t actually missed practice since the Wednesday before the Week 11 game against the Chargers. After missing the last four games with a shoulder injury, will this be the week he returns? That will be up to Alexander.

“Especially when you’re talking about elite corners, it’s a tough one to battle,” he said.

The Giants will be without three key performers on offense. One, obviously, is quarterback Daniel Jones, who is out following a season-ending torn ACL. Tight end Darren Waller is hoping to return next week following a hamstring injury that has him on injured reserve. And right tackle Evan Neal, the seventh pick of the 2022 draft and a building block on a struggling offensive line, will miss another game with an ankle injury.

Also, receiver Paris Campbell was added to the injury report with a knee injury. He did not practice and is questionable. He has 20 receptions and a 23.9-yard average on kickoff returns.

Neal has played just one game over the past two months. He’s been doing rehab work but isn’t ready to go.

“To be honest with you, it hurts. You know what I’m saying?” he told reporters in New York this week. “But it’s football. Sometimes, you’ve got to play through pain, but I do want to make sure whenever I do go back out on the field, I’ll be ready. I’ll definitely have bullets in my gun to shoot with because anybody would never want to go into a war without any bullets in their gun, and that’s where I’m at.”

Jones, Alexander And Tale of Two Injuries

Packers Final Injury Report

Out: WR Christian Watson (hamstring).

Doubtful: LB Quay Walker (shoulder),

Limited: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), RB Aaron Jones (knee), S Darnell Savage (chest), CB Eric Stokes (hamstring).

Giants Final Injury Report

Out: RT Evan Neal (ankle).

Limited: TE Daniel Bellinger (illness), WR Paris Campbell (knee), DT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DT A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring), S Isaiah Simmons (ankle).

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