The Green Bay Packers usually have more players listed on the injury report than their opponent, and this week is no exception. The Panthers only have one player likely to miss the game, starting RT Jeff Otah, but his absence might create a big opportunity for the Packers. An undrafted rookie is expected to start in his place.
The Packers don't have a question mark as big as the Panthers right tackle, but they will be without three starters on defense. And very promising rookie LB Vic So'oto will miss his second straight game due to a back injury.
Starting LB Frank Zombo and DE Mike Neal have been out for a while now, and remain out again this week. Their absences went largely unnoticed against the Saints because LB Erik Walden and DE Jarius Wynn played very well in their places.
The Packers secondary struggled against the Saints, and they should be without starting CB Tramon Williams, who suffered a shoulder strain last week. He's listed as questionable, and his return is possible, but highly unlikely since he didn't practice at all during the week.
The big problem is his replacement: CB Jarrett Bush, a player the coaches love and the fans hate (for good reason). QB Cam Newton had a lot of success on deep passes along the sidelines against the Cardinals, and that should be where Bush will play most of the game. Bush occasionally surprises me, he did intercept a pass in the Super Bowl, so the best I can say is cross our fingers and hope for the best.
The rest of the players listed on the injury report should play (except for rookie RB Alex Green, but he only played on special teams against the Saints). The entire injury report is after the jump.
Player | Pos. | Injury | Friday Participation | Friday Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Clifton, Chad | T | Knee | Did not participate | Probable |
Finley, Jermichael | TE | Ankle | Limited participation | Probable |
Green, Alex | RB | Achilles | Limited participation | Questionable |
House, Davon | CB | Ankle | Full participation | Probable |
Neal, Mike | DE | Knee | Out | Out |
So'oto, Vic | LB | Back | Did not participate | Out |
Taylor, Ryan | TE | Hip | Full participation | Probable |
Williams, Tramon | CB | Shoulder | Did not participate | Questionable |
Zombo, Frank | LB | Shoulder | Out | Out |