Javon Hargrave’s season is officially done, an Achilles injury sidelining the veteran and absolutely gutting the Packers’ defensive line right before they have to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. This isn’t just one guy either; the team’s final injury report is a straight-up disaster, showing exactly how banged up Green Bay is as they prepare for Sunday night.
The Defensive Line Is in Absolute Shambles
Forget about Hargrave’s season-ender, which is brutal enough on its own. The defensive line is where the Packers are truly hurting. Jonathan Ford is out with a calf injury, and combined with Hargrave’s devastating Achilles tear, it puts them in an incredibly tough spot upfront. Ford would have been playing a ton of snaps, too. And if you thought it couldn’t get worse, Jordon Riley is doubtful with an Achilles injury of his own. He only just got back to practice, so it makes sense he won’t be out there. This unit is going to be tested big time.
It’s not just the big fellas up front, either. The Packers will also be without their primary kick and punt returner, Skyy Moore, who’s got an ankle injury that kept him out of practice all week. And cornerback Benjamin St-Juste is also sidelined with a hamstring issue, another late-week problem after getting hurt last Sunday. That secondary is going to have its hands full.
Five More Guys Are Questionable and Depth Is Getting Thin
The questionable list reads like a lineup of critical depth pieces and potential starters. Left guard Aaron Banks, for example, has been battling toe and knee issues and only had limited practice. It’s his first week back from a multi-week injury, so the smart money is on Laken Tomlinson starting at left guard instead. Honestly, they’re going to have to figure out their long-term plan there pretty soon.
Then there’s Anthony Campbell, a defensive lineman who’s likely returning from an ankle injury. His comeback is actually super timely, considering the absolute wreckage on the D-line. He might have to play double-digit snaps behind guys like Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and Chris McClellan. On the other side of the ball, cornerback Brandon Cisse popping up on the injury report late with a hip injury is a real headache. He was limited Friday, and now they’re scrambling for answers at a key position. Carrington Valentine is probably stepping in, and you know their depth at corner is under serious pressure going up against CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Yikes.
Rounding out the questionable crew are offensive lineman Jacob Monk (quad), who isn’t starting at right guard anymore but could back up at center or help on special teams, and second-year receiver Savion Williams. Williams has been on injured reserve with an ankle injury but could be activated to step in for the absent Skyy Moore, maybe even as a gadget weapon or in the return game. They’re going to need all the help they can get.
This Week 6 matchup against the Cowboys just got a whole lot tougher for the Packers. With so many key guys out or hobbled, especially on defense, every single snap is going to be a grind. They’re going to need some serious grit to get through this one. Next week, maybe some of these guys get closer to full strength, like Jordon Riley potentially being a run-stuffer by then, but for Sunday night, it’s all about who steps up right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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