Packers get major defensive boost before Vikings game, but the offensive line remains a major concern
Green Bay listed several starters as questionable on Friday, and Saturday’s roster moves offered the first real clues about who would suit up against the Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers received several important updates ahead of their Week 10 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay released an extensive injury report on Friday. The roster moves on Saturday then gave strong indications about who would be available, and the inactive list put the final picture together.
Defensive backs Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard are both active, as well as edge defender Lukas Van Ness. However, right guard Kevin Zeitler is inactive, just like center Sean Rhyan.
Packers Week 10 inactives
vs. Minnesota Vikings
- RB Josh Jacobs
- RB Pierre Strong Jr.
- LB Zaire Franklin
- G Donovan Jennings
- G Kevin Zeitler
- C Sean Rhyan
Encouraging signs for the secondary
Two defensive backs were listed as questionable. Javon Bullard has ankle and knee injuries, and safety Xavier McKinney has a foot injury. Both carried the official questionable tag, but the Packers decided not to elevate any defensive back from the practice squad for gameday on Saturday. That was a positive indication for both players, and it was confirmed. Both are active.
McKinney wasn’t listed with an injury earlier in the week. However, he was limited at practice on Friday because of the foot issue. Bullard followed a different path: he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, then ended up being limited on Friday.
Edge defender Lukas Van Ness was also questionable with a back injury, and he’s also going to play. Like Bullard, Van Ness missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday before getting limited work on Friday. That progression was a good sign that he would play as well.
The one defensive starter in serious doubt was linebacker Zaire Franklin. Green Bay listed him as doubtful with a shin injury. Therefore, he was a long shot and wasn’t expected to be on the field, even though the fact that he wasn’t ruled out on Friday is a positive indication about his availability for the Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams after the bye.
Offensive line questions and two returns
Along the offensive line, the Packers listed two guards as questionable. Kevin Zeitler was initially listed with an ankle injury, and a triceps injury was later added to his ailments. Travis Glover has missed the past few games and was listed as questionable too with a knee injury. Zeitler is inactive, but Glover will be available.
The skill positions brought better news. Running back Chris Brooks and wide receiver and kick returner Skyy Moore were both handling ankle injuries and listed as questionable. Both were on injured reserve, and Green Bay activated them to the 53-man roster on Saturday. That move was already a strong indication that both would be available.
As expected, Brooks and Moore are active to play against Minnesota.
Four players ruled out
The Packers had already ruled out four players before game day, and the list includes some of the most important pieces on the roster.
Running back Josh Jacobs is out with a finger injury. He suffered a broken finger last week against the New England Patriots and went through surgery on Friday. With Jacobs sidelined, the timing of Brooks’ return is even more impactful.
Center Sean Rhyan is also out with an ankle injury. Tight end Josh Whyle is dealing with a concussion, and Green Bay placed him on injured reserve.
Additionally, edge defender Micah Parsons was not activated from injured reserve. Parsons was limited at practice throughout the week with his knee injury and also dealt with an illness. His absence was expected, though. The projection is that Parsons could potentially return after the bye, against the Rams.
Other side
The Minnesota Vikings will be without several offensive pieces. Wide receivers Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings and tight end TJ Hockenson are out, as well as off-ball linebacker Blake Cashman.
