It's a fairly short injury report for the Green Bay Packers, only 9 players listed, but it includes the top 4 defensive lineman. The Bears report is even shorter, but it might expose their lack of depth at wide receiver.
For the Packers: the big story has been that their top 4 defensive lineman are listed on listed on the injury report. While technically true, the only player likely to miss the game is NT Ryan Pickett, who hasn't practiced all week as he tries to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered during the win on Monday night. NT B.J. Raji will slide into replace him, and he's already making friends with Bear C Olin Kreutz. Raji is listed too, but he was a full participant in Friday's practice. DE Cullen Jenkins and DE Johnny Jolly were both limited in Friday's practice, but I expect they'll go. Late in the Monday night game, DE Jarius Wynn was in on several plays, and I don't expect the coaching staff has any concerns going with the 277 lb. rookie, if necessary.
Everyone else was a full participant in practice, except backup LB Jeremy Thompson, as he tries to recover from a career threatening neck injury. One name not listed is rookie OL T.J. Lang, who missed last Monday's game with a concussion, which is good news since LT Chad Clifton did miss some practice this week, and Lang will also be available to spell RT Mark Tauscher, if he needs a break.
For the Bears: it looks like WR Devin Hester is unlikely to play. While he isn't the greatest receiver and he's no longer the best kick returner on the Bears either, but he's still their leading receiver. Their great kick returner, WR Johnny Knox, would be counted on more in the offense, alongside WR Earl Bennett. Their bigger problem is that they don't have any depth at receiver behind their top 3 (none of their other receivers have more than 2 receptions on the season). The Bears might rely on their 2 TE packages even more than usual. LT Orlando Pace could return this week, but it's not clear whether he would start even if healthy. LB Lance Briggs should return this week, but his replacement, LB Jamar Williams, did very well in his place with 18 tackles against the Rams last week.
The complete injury report is after the jump.
Player | Pos. | Injury | Friday Participation | Friday Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nick Barnett | LB | Knee | Full Participation | Probable |
Chad Clifton | T | Hamstring | Full Participation | Probable |
Jermichael Finley | TE | Knee | Full Participation | Probable |
Cullen Jenkins | DE | Hamstring | Limited Participation | Probable |
Johnny Jolly | DE | Knee | Limited Participation | Questionable |
Ryan Pickett | NT | Hamstring | Did Not Participate | Doubtful |
B.J. Raji | NT | Ankle | Full Participation | Probable |
Jeremy Thompson | LB | Neck | Out | Out |
Charles Woodson | CB | Shoulder | Full Participation | Probable |
Player | Pos. | Injury | Friday Participation | Friday Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lance Briggs | LB | Knee | Full Participation | Probable |
Tommie Harris | DT | Knee | Full Participation | Probable |
Devin Hester | WR | Calf | Did Not Participate | Probable |
Hunter Hillenmeyer | LB | Groin | Full Participation | Probable |
Israel Idonije | DT | Knee | Full Participation | Questionable |
Orlando Pace | T | Groin | Limited Participation | Probable |