Packers TE Jimmy Graham will “try” to play against Vikings, DL Mike Daniels out

When Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy took the podium to give an update on his team’s injured players on Monday, he revealed a bit of a surprise when addressing one of the team’s top receiving weapons. Tight end Jimmy Graham suffered a thumb injury last Thursday at Seattle, and reports indicate that he broke said thumb.

However, McCarthy said Graham “intends to try to go” when the Packers take the field on Sunday night in Minnesota. That would be an awfully quick turnaround for a tight end with a broken thumb, as the games are just 10 days apart. However, McCarthy said that there are options for how Graham might be able to play, and that Graham will try out some different splints and options for how to wrap the injured digit.

Graham caught six passes for 95 yards against the Vikings in the two teams’ first meeting this season. That included pickups of 34 and 27 yards, the latter setting up an opportunity for Mason Crosby to win the game at the end of regulation (which he missed from 52 yards away).

One player who will not be suiting up on Sunday, however, is defensive tackle Mike Daniels. McCarthy confirmed that Daniels’ foot injury will indeed keep him out “a couple weeks,” which matches reporting from Sunday. Daniels’ absence will likely elevate Montravius Adams into the starting lineup at the three-technique tackle spot, but that does leave a void in the depth at the position with just four healthy linemen available.

As a result, McCarthy said that the team will likely add a lineman to the roster, noting that he has spoken to general manager Brian Gutekunst about that need and that he expects to have news on that front within “48 hours.” That would seem necessary in order for the Packers to have a full complement of linemen before Wednesday’s practice. Rookie seventh-round draft pick James Looney could be a candidate to get a call-up from the practice squad, and the Packers have a second lineman, Deon Simon, on that unit as well.

In addition, the Packers lost a few more players to injury on Thursday, including cornerback Bashaud Breeland and safety Raven Greene. McCarthy said that the team will need to see if and those players are able to practice on Wednesday and how much work they can do to have a better idea if they will be able to play in Minnesota.

Stay tuned to APC for more injury updates throughout the week.