The Green Bay Packers are the top seed in the NFC right now, holding a 12-3 record. As the story goes, the Packers and teams throughout the NFL are dealing with their fair share of athletes entering health and safety protocols due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minnesota Vikings are without Cameron Dantzler (Calf), and Adam Thielen (Ankle). QB Kirk Cousins was placed on the reserve/COVID list on Friday; QB Sean Mannion was activated from the reserve list Friday and is expected to start Sunday.
Minnesota also listed defensive tackle Michael Pierce as questionable as he was added to the injury report Friday with an illness. Tight end Tyler Conklin (hamstring) and linebacker Chazz Surratt (illness) were also listed as questionable.
Safety Harrison Smith (shoulder/foot), running backs Dalvin Cook (illness) and Kene Nwangwu (hamstring), and fullback C.J. Ham (hamstring) did not have a game status, but are expected to be available Sunday night.
Here is the week 17 update with the most recent injury updates from the Packers’ end of the matchup.
Good News
Jaire Alexander was activated Wednesday right before the deadline to reactivate him. No word has been said on whether or not we’ll see him on the field on Sunday, but having him back is a vital piece for the Packers.
Back in October, Alexander went to the IR after a shoulder injury sustained against the Steelers.
Randall Cobb and MVS did return to practice on Wednesday, respectively. Cobb had sustained a core muscle injury in Week 12 against the LA Rams that required surgery. Wednesday was the first time since that injury that Cobb was seen taking the field at practice. The return is good news, but, we are unsure if Cobb will be activated prior to Sunday’s game.
MVS missed Christmas Day due to being on the Reserve/COVID list. Having him back on the field will be huge for the Packers’ playoff push. Kevin King was also reactivated from the Reserve list.
The Packers also activated safety Henry Black, LB Tipa Galeai, and CB Shemar Jean-Charles off of the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, respectively.
Aaron Rodgers did participate in practice on Friday; This marked his first on-field practice since Dec. 10. While there wasn’t a game status given to Rodgers, it’s likely that we’ll see him make his 15th start of the season on Sunday night.
Still Out
There still is no clear sign on when David Bakhitari (knee) will return; He has practiced, but seems to have problems whenever he practices. Bakhitari was listed out on Friday’s list.
As of Friday, Jaire Alexander and Billy Turner were ruled out for Sunday night’s game. Defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster has been listed as questionable after returning to practice.
Za’Darius Smith has yet to return to practice following back surgery. No further updates have been given at this time.
The Packers will also be without Ben Braden, Ty Summers, Amari Rodgers, Mercedes Lewis, and Oren Burks. These players are all currently on the Reserve/COVID list.
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