Packers-Lions Inactives, Week 17: Williams & Vitale sit, Rick Wagner out for Detroit

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions square off today to conclude the teams’ regular seasons, and both teams will have a couple of notable players inactive for the early afternoon game.

The Packers will be down a pair of key members of their offensive backfield. Running back Jamaal Williams and fullback Danny Vitale suffered injuries in the team’s win over the Vikings on Monday night, and both were ruled as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. Indeed, both players will sit out today’s game as inactives.

That will leave a bigger load for Aaron Jones this week and should grant some opportunities for Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams to spell him, as both of those players are active. The Packers also sat down offensive tackle Alex Light, leaving veteran Jared Veldheer as the team’s primary backup at both tackle positions. Meanwhile, the tight ends could get a bit more play, with Jace Sternberger and Robert Tonyan candidates to pick up Vitale’s handful of snaps in the backfield as lead blockers.

The Lions, meanwhile, have two starters out, one on each line. Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson was ruled out on Friday, but he is joined on the inactive list by right tackle and former Wisconsin Badger Rick Wagner.

Here are the inactives lists for both teams. Note that the Packers have only 52 members of the active roster at present due to the release of cornerback Tony Brown on Saturday, so they only have six players on their list.

PACKERS INACTIVES

• WR Ryan Grant
• OL John Leglue
• OL Alex Light
• S Will Redmond
• FB Danny Vitale
• RB Jamaal Williams

LIONS INACTIVES

• OL Caleb Benenoch
• RB Wes Hills
• CB Michael Jackson
• DT A’Shawn Robinson
• CB Dee Virgin
• OT Rick Wagner
• DE Jonathan Wynn