The Green Bay Packers have received good news for the offense ahead of the week 18 game versus the Chicago Bears. Tight end Luke Musgrave and running back Emanuel Wilson were activated from injured reserve and are expected to play on Sunday.

The team also elevated rookie wide receiver Grant DuBose for gameday from the practice squad.

Meanwhile, safety Rudy Ford has been placed on injured reserve. He can only return this season if the Packers reach the Super Bowl. Cornerback David Long Jr. has been waived.

Difference maker

Luke Musgrave has been an impact player from the get go for the Packers. However, he missed the last six games because of a lacerated kidney.

The second-round pick has played 10 games this season, with 33 receptions for 341 yards and a touchdown. He's 22 yards away from the Packers franchise record for a rookie tight end — Bubba Franks had 363 yards in 2000.

Since Musgrave got hurt, fellow rookie tight end Tucker Kraft grew in role and production. Now, for the late regular season game and potentially for the playoffs, head coach Matt LaFleur will be able to use both players in 12 personnel scenarios.

At the perfect time

Undrafted rookie Emanuel Wilson also got hurt against the Los Angeles Chargers and missed six games because of his shoulder injury. But his return comes at a perfect moment for the Packers.

Because of a stinger, AJ Dillon was ruled out. So Wilson can have a significant role behind Aaron Jones.

The Packers have three active running backs to play on Sunday: Jones, Wilson, and Patrick Taylor. The team decided not to elevate Kenyan Drake.

Wilson has had 14 carries for 85 yards in the regular season. He is the leader among Packers running backs in yards per carry, with 6.1. The rookie also led the entire league in preseason rushing yards, which helped him secure a roster spot in Green Bay.

The Packers have three wide receivers listed as questionable: Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. Both rookies practiced throughout the week and are expected to play, but Watson didn't practice on Friday and his situation is more fluid.

The elevation of DuBose, a seventh-round pick who spent the entire season on the practice squad, is a security blank. The Packers also have Romeo Doubs and recently-promoted Bo Melton on the active roster, but Samori Toure was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

Problem

Rudy Ford has been an important defensive piece for the Packers, even though he was initially signed to be a special teamer in 2022. This season, he played 13 games and started nine of them at safety.

However, he suffered a serious hamstring injury and won't be available for the next month. Without him, Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens will start. The other safeties on the 53-man roster are Anthony Johnson Jr., Benny Sapp III, and Zayne Anderson.

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