⚡ Packers breathe easier after a last-minute update shakes up the NFC North and leaves rivals scrambling.QQ
The Green Bay Packers got a hugely positive update right before facing the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Despite not practicing on Thursday and Friday due to an ankle injury he suffered last week against the Detroit Lions, defensive back Javon Bullard is officially active and will play on Sunday.
Bullard tried to practice and was limited on Wednesday, but ended up missing practice on Thursday and Friday. Head coach Matt LaFleur and the rest of the staff gave him a chance up to game time, and now he’s healthy enough to be on the field.
This season, Bullard has played 543 defensive snaps, including 427 as a slot cornerback. He also has 73 snaps in the box, 33 as a deep safety, five as a boundary corner, and five at the line of scrimmage. Bullard has been much improved in his second year in the NFL, and his passer rating when targeted dropped from 121.4 to 88.1.
Packers inactives
- G Donovan Jennings
- DT Quinton Bohanna
- WR Savion Williams
- EDGE Lukas Van Ness
- DT Nazir Stackhouse
After missing four games with a knee injury, cornerback Nate Hobbs is finally back to the lineup. The free agent addition hasn’t played since the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, but he’s officially active to play against the Bears as well.
Hobbs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers back in free agency. While his performance and health situation haven’t lived up to that deal so far, he offers depth and positional versatility to the defensive backfield.
Significant offensive return
The pieces of news are positive on offense too. First-round rookie Matthew Golden is back after missing three of the last four games. After handling a shoulder injury, Golden also had a wrist injury — and that’s the issue that made him be a limited participant at practice this week. He was questionable to play, but is active and good to go.
Golden hasn’t had the immediate impact Packers fans were hoping for, but most advanced metrics highlight his ability to create separation. The rookie has 24 receptions for 286 yards, in addition to eight rushing attempts for 45 yards. He’s yet to score his first NFL touchdown.
