Packers hit with troubling news at the worst moment, and the timing could not be more damaging

Green Bay has both positive and negative updates before facing the Chicago Bears.

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Zach Tom (50) is shown during the fourth quarter of their preseason game Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 20-7.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers received a tough update right before the playoff matchup against the Chicago Bears. Most of the players listed as questionable for the game are officially active, but right tackle Zach Tom is surprisingly out because of a knee issue — it’s the fourth consecutive game he will miss.

Packers’ inactives vs. the Bears

  • WR Dontayvion Wicks
  • QB Desmond Ridder (emergency third QB)
  • CB Jaylin Simpson
  • EDGE Collin Oliver
  • T Zach Tom
  • WR Jakobie Keeney-James

Who’s up and who’s down

Right tackle Zach Tom will miss the playoff game because of a knee injury he suffered against the Denver Broncos in Week 15. Tom has also dealt with a back issue. Without him, former first-round rookie Jordan Morgan is expected to start.

Defensive back Javon Bullard was questionable because of a knee injury he suffered last week against the Minnesota Vikings. But he had already indicated it wasn’t a serious issue — just a hyperextension. Bullard was limited at practice throughout the week, but he’s healthy enough and is expected to start in the slot.

Defensive tackle Warren Brinson (foot), linebacker/special teamer Nick Niemann (pectoral), and backup quarterback Malik Willis (shoulder/hamstring) are also active for the game.

New element

Now, the Packers have three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster — Jordan Love, Malik Willis, and recently-promoted Desmond Ridder. While Ridder is inactive, he can enter the game as an emergency third quarterback in the extreme case that both Love and Willis go down with injuries. That’s ultimately why the Packers promoted Ridder from the practice squad after waiving Clayton Tune.

The Packers play the Bears at Soldier Field at 7 p.m. (CT). If Green Bay wins, it will advance to the divisional round and face the Seattle Seahawks on the road.

It’s a big challenge without players like Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, and Devonte Wyatt, who are out for the season — Zach Tom, Dontayvion Wicks, Nate Hobbs, Bo Melton, Savion Williams won’t play either. But that’s life in the NFL, and the Packers will have to overcome it to keep their Super Bowl dream alive.

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