Packers-Cardinals Injury Report: Two cornerbacks, Bakhtiari, Taylor all questionable

On Friday, the Green Bay Packers ruled five players out for their upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. However, there are few surprises among this group, and the set of five players listed as questionable instead suggests that the team will actually have a few of those critical players back in time for the week 13 matchup at Lambeau Field.

Perhaps the most critical part of the injury report is that left tackle David Bakhtiari is in the questionable group rather than being ruled out. With Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones set to line up against the Packers’ left tackle, Aaron Rodgers would likely feel much more comfortable with Bakhtiari protecting him than Jason Spriggs. Jones has 11 sacks this season, tying him with Von Miller for fourth place in the NFL and underscoring the need for Bakhtiari to be out there on Rodgers’ blind side on Sunday.

Joining Bakhtiari as questionable is the player who lines up next to him, left guard Lane Taylor. Like his linemate, Taylor was injured last Sunday night in Minnesota and had to leave the game; both players then missed Wednesday’s practice before being listed as limited on Thursday and Friday (note that the Packers do not practice on Fridays so that status is an estimate).

Three other key players also have a chance to suit up on Sunday, as cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland and Kevin King are questionable along with wide receiver Randall Cobb. Although the Cardinals hardly possess a threatening offense (they rank dead last in offensive DVOA and second-last in both passing and rushing), working the two cornerbacks back in gradually on Sunday could help keep players like Tony Brown off the field and could help Tramon Williams stay at the safety position.

That latter factor may be most important, as a pair of safeties — Kentrell Brice and Raven Greene — have been ruled out. That leaves the Packers with just Williams, Josh Jones, and Ibraheim Campbell at the position for Sunday, underscoring the need for another corner to suit up.

As for the Cardinals, they have just one player out for Sunday: moneybacker Deone Bucannon. He will miss the game with a chest injury, but another starting linebacker, Haason Reddick, is questionable with a neck issue. Starting safety Budda Baker and starting left tackle D.J. Humphries are both questionable as well, along with a couple of depth players.

Tune in on Sunday morning to see which of the game-time decisions will suit up for the game.

Packers Injury Report

Out

• S Kentrell Brice
• RB Tra Carson
• DL Mike Daniels
• WR Trevor Davis
• S Raven Greene

Questionable

• LT David Bakhtiari
• CB Bashaud Breeland
• WR Randall Cobb
• CB Kevin King
• LG Lane Taylor

Cardinals Injury Report

Out

• $LB Deone Bucannon

Questionable

• S Budda Baker
• S Rudy Ford
• OL D.J. Humphries
• LB Haason Reddick
• WR Chad Williams