AJ Dillon and Jaire Alexander are inactive for the Packers vs Bucs

The Green Bay Packers released their inactive list for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field. It’s a mixed bag of positive and negative pieces of news. In regards to the running back position, Aaron Jones is active, but AJ Dillon is not. Jaire Alexander is out once again, as he will […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer

Dec 17, 2023 11:38 AM EST

AJ Dillon, Aaron Jones — Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin -USA TODAY NETWORK

The Green Bay Packers released their inactive list for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field. It’s a mixed bag of positive and negative pieces of news.

In regards to the running back position, Aaron Jones is active, but AJ Dillon is not. Jaire Alexander is out once again, as he will miss his sixth game in a row.

Offense

The best part of the Packers inactive list is that starting running back Aaron Jones is not a part of that after three weeks. The Pro Bowler is recovered from an MCL sprain and is officially active.

However, fellow running back AJ Dillon is inactive. This is the first game he will miss because of injury since 2020. The power back suffered a broken thumb last Monday against the New York Giants.

With Jones active and Dillon inactive, the Packers will have other two available running backs. Patrick Taylor is a part of the 53-man roster, and veteran Kenyan Drake got his second gameday elevation from the practice squad to be available as well. Drake still has one elevation available this season.

Dontayvion Wicks hurt his ankle against the Giants, but will be available on Sunday. He was listed as questionable, but is healthy enough to face the Bucs.

Christian Watson was listed as doubtful because of the hamstring injury he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago. As expected, after being an absence at practice over the week, he is officially inactive.

Defense

Jaire Alexander is not ready yet. With a shoulder injury he suffered against the Los Angeles Rams on November 5, the All-Pro cornerback will miss his sixth game in a row — which makes the fact that the Packers didn't place him on injured reserve at first a questionable decision at best.

Fellow cornerback Eric Stokes is finally healthy, though. After missing most of the action for more than a full calendar year, he was activated from the injured reserve on Saturday. He spent the last 13 months recovering from knee, ankle, and hamstring injuries.

Linebacker Quay Walker is available to play after missing the Giants game with a shoulder injury. He didn't practice on Wednesday, but returned on Thursday and Friday.

Safety Darnell Savage will miss his sixth game of the season. He suffered a shoulder injury against the Giants and didn't practice this week. With his absence, the safety duo will be Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens.