Packers RB AJ Dillon is expected to play vs Lions
The Green Bay Packers got positive news before the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. Running back AJ Dillon is expected to play, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, even though he's listed as questionable because of a groin injury. Dillon was limited at practice during the entire week, but there weren't real practices. On […]
The Green Bay Packers got positive news before the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. Running back AJ Dillon is expected to play, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, even though he's listed as questionable because of a groin injury.
Dillon was limited at practice during the entire week, but there weren't real practices. On Monday, it was just an estimation. The Packers had a walk-thru on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Depth concerns
Depending on his health, AJ Dillon will need to be a bellcow in Detroit, because the Packers running back depth has been decimated by injuries.
Aaron Jones suffered an MCL sprain and is out. Emanuel Wilson has been placed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury and will miss at least four weeks.
The two backups on Thursday were re-signed by the Packers on Monday, one day after Jones and Wilson got injured.
Patrick Taylor has played four games for the Packers earlier this season and was on the New England Patriots practice squad. He's expected to be the RB2, playing primarily on passing downs.
The other option is James Robinson, who hasn't played a regular season game in 2023. He had spent three weeks on the Packers practice squad, but was released in early November. He was signed back to the practice squad on Monday and promoted to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.
Dillon's season
AJ Dillon has played 56.33% of the Packers regular season offensive snaps in 2023. With Aaron Jones banged up for big stretches of the year at this point, Dillon has been the starter most of the time.
He has a 73.0 PFF grade, with a 75.2 rushing grade. Dillon has 405 rushing yards (3.5 per attempt), 13 missed tackles, 2.79 yards after contact per attempt and five explosive runs of 10 or more yards.
Injury report
Besides AJ Dillon, four more Packers players are listed as questionable to play: linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (neck), cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), safety Rudy Ford (biceps), and rookie wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion/knee).
Tight end Josiah Deguara (hip) is listed as doubtful to play — so far this season, no player listed as doubtful has played for the Packers, and the elevation of fullback/tight end Henry Pearson is a clear indication that Deguara will not play.
Roster moves
On Wednesday, the Packers had to make several roster moves to have enough bodies to play on Thursday, as injuries have affected the roster. Tight end Luke Musgrave and running back Emanuel Wilson were placed on injured reserve.
Running back James Robinson and wide receiver Bo Melton were promoted to the 53-man roster, while fullback/tight end Henry Pearson and safety Benny Sapp III were elevated from practice squad for gameday.
The Packers will release their inactive list 90 minutes before the game.
Other side
The Detroit Lions are way healthier than the Packers. The only player listed as out for Thursday's game is starting guard Jonah Jackson, with a wrist injury.
Defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs (illness), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (hand), and center Frank Ragnow (toe) were all full participants at practice during the week and have no injury designation, which means they are good to go.
The Lions have an 8-2 record and lead the NFC North. The Packers are 4-6, and have lost the last four head-to-head matchups against Dan Campbell's Lions.
Five Packers players to watch vs Lions
Green Bay will be without important pieces on Thursday
