Packers defense gets major boost on multiple fronts ahead of playoff clash with the Eagles
The Green Bay Packers' defense will look much different and healthier against the Philadelphia Eagles. Evan Williams, Quay Walker, TJ Slaton, and Breton Cox are all active to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Pieces Safety Evan Williams has been a huge piece of the Green Bay Packers' defense and an immediate contributor as […]
The Green Bay Packers' defense will look much different and healthier against the Philadelphia Eagles. Evan Williams, Quay Walker, TJ Slaton, and Breton Cox are all active to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Pieces
Safety Evan Williams has been a huge piece of the Green Bay Packers' defense and an immediate contributor as a rookie. On Sunday, the unit will finally have him back on the field. After missing the last three games with a quadricep injury, Williams is officially active to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round.
The rookie fourth-round pick was limited the entire week, but head coach Matt LaFleur had indicated he had a good shot at playing. With Williams, the Packers can play Javon Bullard as a full-time slot cornerback, putting Kitan Oladapo back on the bench.
Linebacker Quay Walker, who also missed the last three games, is back from an ankle injury and will play. The third-year player was limited the entire week at practice.
The Packers had already given an indication that Walker would be active because, unlike last week, they did not elevate rookie linebacker Michael Barrett from the practice squad for gameday.
Impactful piece to stop the run, something particularly relevant against Saquon Barkley, defensive tackle TJ Slaton is ready to go. The interior defensive lineman did not practice on Wednesday, but he was limited on Thursday and Friday and is active despite an ankle injury.
Brenton Cox Jr. has been a solid rotational piece on the edge, and he is back after missing the Chicago Bears game with a foot injury.
Since the Packers traded Preston Smith ahead of the trade deadline in October, Cox is tied for third on the team in total pressures (17), only behind Rashan Gary and Devonte Wyatt.
Who's out
On offense, the only question was backup offensive tackle Andre Dillard, who is recovering from a concussion. He is still not ready and will be inactive for the third straight week.
He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but improved to a full participant on Friday. He did not clear the concussion protocol, though.
Without Dillard, the active backup offensive linemen are Kadeem Telfort, Travis Glover, and Jacob Monk.
Safety Zayne Anderson, still in the concussion protocol, and wide receiver Christian Watson, who suffered a torn ACL, had both been ruled out on Friday.
Packers inactives
QB Sean Clifford (emergency third QB)
WR Christian Watson
S Zayne Anderson
T Andre Dillard
TE Ben Sims
Other side
Packers vs Eagles wild card round in the NFC playoffs: Will you be able to watch on TV?
Playoff game will be broadcasted by Fox
