Packers-Lions Injury Report: Jordan Love Among Seven Starters Who Didn’t Practice

It’s a long injury report to start the week for the Green Bay Packers, with Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs part of a list of key players who did not practice on Wednesday.

Malik Willis throws a pass at Packers practice on Oct. 30. / Bill Huber/Packers On SI

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have been relatively healthy all season but that’s not the case at the start of the practice week before Sunday’s huge NFC North showdown against the Detroit Lions.

Quarterback Jordan Love did not practice due to the groin injury he sustained on the opening series of last week’s victory at Jacksonville.

He wasn’t alone.

Three-fifths of the starting offensive line – center Josh Myers, left guard Elgton Jenkins and left tackle Rasheed Walker – and star running back Josh Jacobs did not practice, either. The defense wasn’t immune as cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Evan Williams were out, as well.

It’s only Wednesday. For instance, Jenkins hasn’t practiced on Wednesday for most of the season and Myers didn’t practice last Wednesday. Coming off a heavy workload and with the expectation of carrying the load on Sunday, regardless of the quarterback, Jacobs probably could use a little extra rest.

“Just managing my body, man,” Jacobs said. “I’ll be good come gametime.”

Still, it’s a long list of key players who are banged up entering the biggest game of the season.

“Just take it one day at a time and see where he’s at by the end of the week,” coach Matt LaFleur said after practice.

LaFleur said Love is “moving around better.” He “potentially” could play without practicing.

“Again, we’ll take it one day at a time,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, yeah, we’ll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play but we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week.”

Love said it is realistic for him to play on Sunday.

“I’ve made progress,” he said. “It’s definitely feeling better. I think every day there will be some improvements to it but definitely feels better than it did on Sunday.”

Rookie safety Evan Williams felt his hamstring during pregame. He tried to play through it before being shut down during the second quarter.

The Packers had honed in on a secondary of Alexander and Keisean Nixon at corner, Javon Bullard in the slot and Williams and Xavier McKinney at safety. Without Williams, it set off a “chain reaction,” LaFleur said. Bullard went back to safety, which he hadn’t repped during the week, and Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine rotated at the other corner spot.

The challenge for the Packers is creating a game plan on both sides of the ball with uncertainty at key positions. Green Bay’s offense changes stylistically with Love vs. Malik Willis. And the defense is vastly different with Alexander on the field; he’s allowed one completion each of the last three weeks.

“It is what it is,” LaFleur said. “No different than what happened the other day. When you have installed a game plan, you’ve got to be ready to adjust.”

Linebacker Quay Walker, who was inactive with a concussion last week, is out of the protocol and was full participation at practice.

For the Lions, quarterback Jared Goff did not practice due to an ankle injury but he is expected to practice on Thursday.

Five veterans were given rest days, so their injury report is not nearly as long as it seems.

Packers Wednesday Injury Report    

Did not participate: CB Jaire Alexander (knee), LG Elgton Jenkins (glute), RB Josh Jacobs (ankle), QB Jordan Love (groin), C Josh Myers (wrist), LT Rasheed Walker (knee), S Evan Williams (hamstring).

Limited: CB Corey Ballentine (ankle), DT Kenny Clark (toe/shoulder), DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle).

Full: LB Quay Walker (concussion).

Lions Wednesday Injury Report

Did not participate: LT Tyler Decker (chest), G Graham Glasgow (rest), QB Jared Goff (ankle), DT Levi Onwuzurike (rest), DE Josh Paschal (rest), C Frank Ragnow (rest), DT D.J. Reader (rest), LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle), RB Sione Vaki (knee), G Kevin Zeitler (rest).

Limited: None.

Full: DT Brodric Martin.

More Green Bay Packers News 

Jordan Love was among a group of several #Packers starters who did not go out for the start of practice today. ⬇️https://t.co/wooPefwkIj

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 30, 2024

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