The Green Bay Packers emerged from their first taste of December football battered and bruised, suffering a tough 34-31 loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite the adversity, the Packers are far from broken.
Jaire Alexander missed the game with a knee injury, and Romeo Doubs was also sidelined. Javon Bullard and Evan Williams both left the game, and by the end, Zayne Anderson—a career special teams player—was taking reps at safety for Green Bay’s depleted secondary. The Lions’ passing game, led by Jared Goff, took full advantage of the situation, shredding the Packers’ defense.
Following the game, questions about Green Bay’s future seemed uncertain, especially with Bullard in a walking boot and Williams and Doubs in concussion protocol. Jaire Alexander had missed three consecutive games due to a PCL injury. However, the outlook now appears more optimistic, with the possibility of all but Bullard returning for Sunday’s crucial showdown in Seattle.
Here’s an update on the Packers’ key players and their injury statuses:
Jaire Alexander
The most significant update is on Jaire Alexander, who has missed the past three games with a knee injury. Over the past 30 games, he’s missed 16 due to injury or suspension. While there’s speculation about his future in Green Bay, that will be addressed after the season. For now, it looks like Alexander will return this week, having been a full participant in practice for the last two days. Barring any setbacks, his return is crucial for a secondary that has struggled in his absence.
With Seattle’s trio of receivers looming, the Packers need all the cornerback help they can get. Alexander’s presence will be a major boost. “When Ja is healthy, he’s one of the best corners in our league,” said Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley. “Week in and week out, when you’re playing against some premier players, sometimes it’s helpful to have a premier player out there with him.”
Evan Williams
Evan Williams has also practiced in full for the past two days while working through the concussion protocol. Though still in the protocol, the Packers are optimistic he can clear it before Sunday’s game. The Seahawks have been known to challenge defenses deep, something they haven’t done often this season. Xavier McKinney has been key in limiting this, and Williams has also contributed significantly in that area.
Romeo Doubs
Romeo Doubs‘ injury is becoming concerning. He sustained a concussion on November 24 during the Packers’ dominant win over the San Francisco 49ers. He missed the Thanksgiving game and was also ruled out against the Lions. Matt LaFleur confirmed that Doubs is still in concussion protocol nearly three weeks after the injury. While head injuries are no small matter, Doubs has practiced fully over the last two days, and the Packers are hopeful he can clear the final hurdle before Sunday’s game.
Edgerrin Cooper
Edgerrin Cooper didn’t hold back when asked about his injury status: “Real good, real good. Ready to roll, ready to roll.” Green Bay’s defense could certainly use his playmaking ability in the middle, as the Lions exploited the Packers’ weaknesses in that area. Cooper has shown promise this season, particularly in coverage, and his presence will be important against the Seahawks’ running backs and slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Luke Musgrave
Although Luke Musgrave won’t play this week, he has been designated for return from injured reserve. After undergoing surgery for a torn tendon in his ankle, Musgrave has missed 2 ½ months. He had lost his starting tight end spot to Tucker Kraft, but he brings a unique dimension to the offense. Musgrave can stretch the seam, making the Packers more dangerous in both run and pass situations with their two-tight-end sets. While he’s unlikely to play this Sunday, his return could be a significant factor in the final stretch of the season.
In summary, despite a difficult loss and injury setbacks, the Packers’ injury outlook appears brighter heading into their matchup with Seattle, with several key players set to return and provide crucial support.
