⚡ FLASH NEWS: Packers face a shocking injury blow just as the Bears clash looms, leaving fans fearing a season-defining setback.QQ
The Green Bay Packers are going through the most important stretch of their season with a sequence of NFC North games. So, getting players back is huge. However, a Thursday update brought some level of concern in Green Bay.
Safety and nickel cornerback Javon Bullard did not practice due to a lingering ankle injury. On Wednesday, he had been limited at practice. It doesn’t mean that Bullard won’t play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but it’s an attention point ahead of a game that has the NFC North lead at stake.
The defensive back has been one of the most improved players on the Packers this year. His passer rating allowed when targeted dropped from 121.4 as a rookie to 88.1 through 13 weeks this season. More than that, he has a major role in run support playing in the slot — which is particularly impactful this week against the Bears and their powerful rushing offense.
The other players who missed practice are rookie wide receiver Savion Williams (foot), edge defender Lukas Van Ness (foot), and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle), who’s expected to be placed on injured reserve over the next few days — he’s out for the season.
How the Packers can compensate for the absence if Bullard isn’t ready
At least, cornerback Nate Hobbs is possibly getting back from a knee injury. He hasn’t played since the Carolina Panthers game in Week 9, missing four consecutive games. Even though Hobbs hasn’t performed at a high level for Green Bay, most of his struggles come as a boundary corner.
If Hobbs has to replace Bullard, that would be as a slot corner — the place of the field where Hobbs can be more effective, including because of his ability as a tackler.
The Packers still have another practice on Friday to see where Bullard is at, though, and his availability on Sunday would be massive for the defense.
So far this season, the former second-round pick has played 427 snaps as a slot corner, 73 in the box, 33 at free safety, five as a boundary corner, and five at the line of scrimmage — and his versatility is part of the appeal.
