In fact, there was only one change on the injury report, and it was significant before Sunday’s game at the Denver Broncos: cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) was listed as a limited participant on the injury report. Coach Matt LaFleur did not provide further details, including whether Alexander was able to finish practice. Of course, it’s worth noting that Alexander missed the Saints and Lions games with a back injury. He played a full game against Las Vegas before the bye.
As of Wednesday, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was the only Packers player not to practice.
Court Aaron Jones, who was surprisingly inactive in the game before last week’s bye against the Las Vegas Raiders? Trained as a limited participant. Safety Darnell Savage, who missed about half the Raiders game with a calf injury? Trained as a limited participant. Linebacker Quay Walker, who missed most of the Raiders game with a knee injury? He also practiced as a limited participant. LaFleur does not expect Campbell to be available Sunday.
“There was no failure,” LaFleur said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s just going through everything. I’d say he’s probably more questionable this week. We’ll see where he’s at, but obviously give him the game time to prove it.”
Campbell was signed by the Packers in free agency in 2021. Campbell was an All-Pro with 145 tackles and five sacks in his rookie season. He missed four games last season with a knee injury, and the Packers went 1-3 in his absence and 4-1 when he returned. He will reportedly miss a third straight game after suffering an ankle sprain suffered earlier in Week 3 against the Saints.
Campbell, who has played just 134 passes defensed this season, is fifth on the team with 22 tackles. Third-year player Isaiah McDuffie, who is fourth on the team with 26 tackles, will likely make his third straight start.
“I think he’s done an outstanding job in whatever role we’ve put him in, whether it’s defense or teams,” LaFleur said Thursday. “He just brings a great style of play. He’s very tenacious in his style of play and he’ll beat you. I think he’s done a great job of knowing what to do and doing it very, very quickly
Otherwise, the Packers are in good shape, having played just one game in the last three weeks.
Especially with Campbell sidelined, the importance of Walker’s supposed return cannot be overstated. With 51 tackles through five games, he ranks in the top 10 in tackles per game. The NFL has had two games with more than 17 tackles this season. Walker has two of them.
Jones’ potential return can’t be overstated either, after he nursed an injured thigh in the final practice before the Las Vegas game.
“He’s an explosive playmaker,” receiver Jordan Love said. “That’s a guy we have to get the ball to when he’s on. The tape doesn’t lie. He does a lot of really good things on the field and defenses just had to pay attention to the other guy, the other playmaker and how they’re going to stop him, maybe focus on him a little bit more.”
On Wednesday, Walker, Jones, Savage and left guard Elgton Jenkins all saw limited action. It was the same on Thursday. On Thursday, Jenkins did not join his teammates on the practice field for the start of practice, but was on the field about 10 minutes later.
The Broncos’ injury report was also largely unchanged. The only update was the transition of veteran safety Kareem Jackson from limited participation to full participation.
Packers injury report for Thursday
DNP: LB De’Vondre Campbell (ankle).
Limited: CB Eric Stokes (foot), CB Jaire Alexander (back), S Darnell Savage (calf), LB Quay Walker (knee), RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), S Zayne Anderson (hamstring), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee) . ., DT Devonte Wyatt (TBA).
Thursday’s Broncos injury report
DNP: TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring).
Limited: S Justin Simmons (hip). Full: S Kareem Jackson (neck), OLB Baron Browning (knee/wrist), C Lloyd Cushenberry (quad), DT D.J. Jones (knee).
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