Packers' Quay Walker and Darnell Savage avoid serious injuries

Two Green Bay Packers defensive starters left the game against the Las Vegas Raiders with injuries, but both will be back soon. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, both off-ball linebacker Quay Walker and safety Darnell Savage avoided long-term injuries and have a shot to play against the Denver Broncos in week 7, right after […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer

Oct 10, 2023 7:10 PM EDT

Two Green Bay Packers defensive starters left the game against the Las Vegas Raiders with injuries, but both will be back soon.

According to head coach Matt LaFleur, both off-ball linebacker Quay Walker and safety Darnell Savage avoided long-term injuries and have a shot to play against the Denver Broncos in week 7, right after the Packers bye week.

Quay Walker left the game with a knee injury. As the Packers were already without De'Vondre Campbell because of a high ankle sprain, the team finished the game with Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson as the two off-ball linebackers.

Savage had a calf injury, forcing the Packers to go with Jonathan Owens alongside Rudy Ford for the final part of the game.

Roster moves

One day after releasing edge defender Justin Hollins and promoting running back Patrick Taylor to the 53-man roster, the Green Bay Packers reverted the move on Tuesday. Taylor was waived, and Hollins signed back to the Packers active roster.

The initial move was made because the Packers have already elevated Patrick Taylor for gameday to the limit of three games. With Aaron Jones still recovering from a hamstring injury, the team needed Taylor active against the Raiders. As Hollins is a vested veteran, he didn't go through waivers, so he was available to immediately sign back with the Packers.

Now, Patrick Taylor goes through waivers. If he isn't claimed, there's a good chance the Packers sign him back to the practice squad. But even if the initial contract has been waived, the Packers can't elevate Taylor from the practice squad for gameday anymore this season. If they want him to play, they have to promote him to the 53-man roster again.

As Taylor was promoted, he secured the three-week paycheck — therefore, he will make active roster money, even if he was cut before the expiration of that period.

The Packers have three running backs on the active roster: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, and rookie Emanuel Wilson. The team is back at six edge rushers: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Justin Hollins, and Brenton Cox.