Packers Injury Report: Matthews Probable, Cornerbacks Questionable for Panthers game

The Green Bay Packers announced their weekly injury report on Friday, and it was one of the shorter lists that we have seen all season long. Unfortunately, that report still features a handful of starters as well as a couple of critical contributors who would be missed if absent.

Thankfully, no player is listed lower than questionable for this week's game - for now. As usual, the team did not practice on Friday and will instead conduct their final practice of the week on Saturday to prepare for their game against the Carolina Panthers. These players' statuses will be subject to change following that practice session.

Packers Injury Report

Probable

LB Clay Matthews (ankle/knee)
OLB Nick Perry (shoulder/hand)
FB Aaron Ripkowski (illness)

Questionable

WR Ty Montgomery (ankle)
CB Quinten Rollins (neck)
CB Sam Shields (shoulder)

The good news here is that Matthews and Perry appear very likely to play, despite being limited in practice all week. Matthews of course is the linchpin of the defense, and the injury he suffered late in the game last week against the Broncos put his availability for this week somewhat in question. However, he appears to be preparing to play.

Rollins and Shields have not practiced yet this week, and if they are unable to do so on Saturday it is highly unlikely that they would be active for Sunday's game.

Montgomery is a bit of a surprise - despite practicing on a limited basis all week like Matthews and Perry, Montgomery is listed as questionable instead of getting a probable designation.

Panthers Injury Report

Probable

DE Mario Addison (shoulder)
TE Ed Dickson (hamstring)
C Ryan Kalil (ankle)
CB Josh Norman (illness)
LB Shaq Thompson (probable)
C Fernando Velasco (shoulder)
CB Teddy Williams (illness)

Out

DT Dwan Edwards (ankle)
G Andrew Norwell (hamstring)

For the Panthers, the biggest loss this week will be Norwell, a starting guard and one of the team's top offensive linemen. They are likely to get Kalil, their starting center, back as well as rookie linebacker Shaq Thompson, as both players sat out of Monday's game against the Colts. All of the players listed as probable were also designated as having participated fully in Carolina's Friday practice.