Packers Week 1 Injury Report: Oren Burks limited, Josh Jones out of Wednesday practice

On Wednesday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers announced their first formal injury report of the 2018 season. The Packers listed just three players on the report, a good sign for their overall health heading into their week one matchup with the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

However, the three players on the report are all players who play up the middle of the defense, and they include one projected starter. That player is linebacker Oren Burks, the rookie and third-round draft pick out of Vanderbilt. Burks was tabbed as the starter after Jake Ryan’s ACL tear early in training camp, and he acquitted himself well in the first two preseason games. However, he suffered a shoulder injury during warmups of the third game against the Oakland Raiders and missed the final two exhibition contests.

The good news on Burks, however, is that he was able to practice in a limited fashion, suggesting that there is still a possibility that he may be able to play on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Reports as recently as last Friday suggested that Burks was “likely” to miss the game, but this is a positive step forward for him. Still, the team may prefer to start a healthy Antonio Morrison or Korey Toomer over Burks on Sunday.

Joining Burks as a limited participant is fellow inside linebacker James Crawford, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois. Crawford was a surprise on the Packers’ final 53-man roster, and made the team primarily due to his special teams performances in the preseason.

The final injury is the only one that kept a player out of practice entirely, and it is to a notable player, second-year safety Josh Jones. Jones missed practice on Wednesday with an unspecified ankle injury. After he started seven games a year ago, initially at the Will linebacker spot then later at strong safety, the Packers’ coaching staff slimmed down his responsibilities to the safety position this offseason. Jones entered week one as the likely backup to Kentrell Brice, though he is still likely to see significant snaps on defense.

Stay tuned for updates, including the Bears’ injury report from Wednesday and both teams’ updates on Thursday and Friday.

Packers Injury Report

Did Not Participate

• S Josh Jones (ankle)

Limited Participation

• ILB Oren Burks (shoulder)
• ILB James Crawford (hamstring)

Bears Injury Report

Did Not Participate

• S DeAndre Houston-Carson (forearm/back)

Limited Participation

• TE Daniel Brown (shoulder)