Packers-Rams Final Injury Report: Two Defensive Starters Questionable
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers could have some major and unexpected issues on defense for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Safety Rudy Ford, who was limited participation at Thursday’s practice due to a calf injury, hopped on an exercise bike and didn’t go out with his teammates for the start of Friday’s practice.
Same with inside linebacker Quay Walker, who wasn’t even on Thursday’s injury report. He is dealing with a tight groin.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur listed both players as questionable on the final injury report of the week.
In Los Angeles, Rams coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford would be questionable. McVay said Stafford, who is dealing with an injured thumb on his throwing hand and did not practice all week, is making progress with his grip strength.
“Like I said, kind of same as earlier in the week," McVay said. "We kind of knew that he was not going to participate all week and we'll take it all the way up until game time.”
The Packers have been preparing all week for Stafford to start. What they had not been anticipating are more injuries to key players on defense.
Through seven games, Walker is No. 1 on the Packers in tackles and tackles for losses and third in passes defensed, and Ford is No. 2 in tackles, No. 1 in interceptions and No. 2 in passes defensed.
Walker is a premier player on the defense, but losing Ford would be huge, as well. Not only has the veteran been a steady performer – certainly one of the best players on defense – but the safety depth chart is thin with his fellow starter, Darnell Savage, on injured reserve with a calf injury.
If Ford can’t play, rookie Anthony Johnson could join veteran Jonathan Owens in the starting lineup. A seventh-round pick, Johnson was inactive for the first five games before playing four defensive snaps vs. both Denver and Minnesota.
“Yeah, it doesn’t matter if he’s ready or not,” LaFleur said. “It’s next man up. We’ll see. We’ve got some options there.”
Quay Walker (7) and Rudy Ford (20)
Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images
Especially following this week’s trade of Rasul Douglas, the 23-year-old Walker not only is a premier player but a key leader on the defense. After Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, Walker stood in front of the team and took the blame for dropping a first-drive interception.
“If I want to be an elite guy,” Walker said, “I’ve got to come down with that play because who knows what the outcome could’ve been? If I would’ve scored on defense, that could’ve turned the whole momentum, could’ve got the offense going, whatever the case may be. I don’t want to beat myself up and just say I’m to blame for that, but I hold myself accountable so I need to be able to make that play at that time.”
If Walker can’t play, third-year linebacker Isaiah McDuffie would get the start. He started against Detroit, Las Vegas and Denver when De’Vondre Campbell was out with an ankle injury and is third on the team with 36 tackles.
“Just came in feeling tight today so he did not practice,” LaFleur said of Walker.
Everybody else on the team went out into the drizzle for practice. That includes four starters who have been limited participation this week: cornerback Jaire Alexander (back), running back Aaron Jones (hamstring), left guard Elgton Jenkins (knee) and tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle).
For a third consecutive day, Jones wore a no-contact red jersey.
The Rams haven’t had three of their starters on the practice field this week, including Stafford, right tackle Rob Havenstein and linebacker Ernest Jones. Havenstein will be questionable while Jones, their leading tackler, is out.
“I'm not really sure” if he’ll be available, star receiver Cooper Kupp said of Stafford. “I think that's something the team is kind of figuring out. Obviously, Matthew and the team are going to work through that stuff. I know he's the one of the toughest guys I've ever met. I know for a fact if there's any chance that he can be out there, he is going to be out there so just kind of leave it at that.”
Packers Final Injury Report
Questionable: LB Quay Walker (groin), S Rudy Ford (calf).
Rams Final Injury Report
Out: ILB Ernest Jones (knee), TE Hunter Long (hamstring).
Questionable: QB Matthew Stafford (thumb), RT Rob Havenstein (calf), CB Cobie Durant (shoulder), DT Larrell Murchison (knee), WR Puka Nacua (knee).
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