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The Green Bay Packers are expected to shut down several key players for Sunday’s regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, but in order to do so they may need to call up a few more players from their practice squad. Friday’s final injury report delivered the news that four players are ruled out for Sunday’s game and a fifth is doubtful, though only three of the five are currently on the 53-man roster.
Those three players are offensive lineman Donovan Jennings (out, throat), wideout Savion Williams (out, foot/illness), and receiver Dontayvion Wicks (doubtful, concussion). Wicks should have up to game time to try to clear the concussion protocol, but that appears to be unlikely as he was unable to practice at all this week while trying to return from the injury he suffered last Saturday.
The other two players listed as out are linebacker Nick Niemann (pectoral) and offensive lineman John Williams (back), both of whom are working to return from injured lists. Niemann is trying to make a return from injured reserve, while Williams has not played all season, instead spending 2025 on the PUP list.
Meanwhile, the Packers also listed a pair of players as questionable with injuries: quarterback Malik Willis (listed with right shoulder and hamstring issues) and starting right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee). However, that means that several other starters who were on the injury report during the week are good to go — if the Packers’ coaches elect to give them any playing time.
The group of players who were limited during practices at some point in the week include Aaron Banks, Edgerrin Cooper, Josh Jacobs, Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, and Lukas Van Ness. However, none of these players has an injury designation for the game and only Banks and Van Ness were limited in Friday’s practice.
Minnesota, on the other hand, will be without a pair of starters on offense, including an old friend. Running back Aaron Jones will not play on Sunday after being ruled out with a hip injury, and his season will wrap up with just 548 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jones will be joined in street clothes by starting tight end T.J. Hockenson and one of his backups, Gavin Bartholomew, as well as reserve receiver and return man Myles Price.
The big news for the Vikings is that quarterback J.J. McCarthy is off the injury report and is expected to start on Sunday despite a right hand injury. McCarthy was able to practice fully on Thursday and will be under center despite the game having no impact for the postseason for either team.
