Packers avoid major fallout as relieving news follows a decision that nearly backfired vs. the Vikings
Javon Bullard left the game with a knee injury, but it’s not expected to be a serious issue.
The Green Bay Packers tried to protect and rest as many important players as possible against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, but some starters had to play. Questionably, the staff decided to have Evan Williams and Javon Bullard in and out of the lineup in nickel defense late in the game, and Bullard suffered a knee injury.
Thankfully for the Packers, the decision didn’t backfire too badly, as head coach Matt LaFleur said he thinks Bullard “is going to be okay.”
“We’re just limited on bodies in regards to both those safeties, quite honestly,” Lafleur explained. “When we were going nickel defense and trying to match personnel, one of those guys had to go in, so it’s unfortunate.”
With the available players, the Packers played Shemar Bartholomew, Johnathan Baldwin, Jaylin Simpson, and Kitan Oladapo. But in nickel, they had to play one potential starter — Trevon Diggs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Williams, or Bullard. Late in the game, because Baldwin and Simpson played mostly at corner, the Packers were kind of forced to play one of their starting safeties.
Why the Packers decided to rest starters
The Packers have dealt with multiple impactful injuries. And after how things went last year in Week 18 versus the Chicago Bears, with Jordan Love hurting his elbow and Christian Watson tearing his ACL, the decision to sit impactful starters was easy.
“Every year is a different year and a different experience, and you’ve got to learn from your past, no doubt about it,” LaFleur added. “It’s the urgency that needs to be there from the moment we start preparing, which is really right now for those guys that battled today, getting their bodies back. We’ve got to have a great week of preparation, we’ve got to maximize it, make the most of it, and go shoot our shot.”
Beyond Javon Bullard, wide receiver/cornerback/special teamer Bo Melton also left the game with a knee injury.
Now, the Packers are finally on to the playoffs.
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