A few important player availability updates from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network ahead of Thursday night’s showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions: running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson are expected to return from injuries and play, but cornerback Jaire Alexander looks like a long shot to go.
Pelissero said Watson, who missed the first three games of the year with a hamstring injury, will make his 2023 season debut but is expected to be on a pitch count. Jones is also expected to return and split time with backup A.J. Dillon. The return of both will provide the young Packers offense with two dynamic playmakers for the primetime matchup.
Buy Packers TicketsThe defense will likely be down two starters. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell won’t play after injuring his ankle on Sunday, and Alexander is trending toward missing a second straight game with a back injury.
“No final decisions on that, but it sounds like it’s leaning towards Alexander will not play against the Lions,” Pelissero said.
The Packers are short-handed at cornerback, especially considering Carrington Valentine’s uncertain playing status (questionable) after injuring his biceps on Sunday. Expect at least one practice squad elevation — likely Corey Ballentine — before kickoff on Thursday.
For the Lions, left tackle Taylor Decker isn’t expected to play, meaning Detroit will be down two starting offensive linemen. Running back David Montgomery also isn’t expected to play, but cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, a free-agent signing of the Lions this season, will make his debut with the team on Thursday night.
UPDATE: Pelissero now says Decker and Montgomery WILL play, while Moseley isn’t expected to play.
Needless to say, the announcement of inactives around 5:45 p.m. CT will be significant. Both the Packers and Lions have big decisions to make on player availability as the two teams grapple with a short week.
Matt LaFleur has said many times that when weighing injury situations, he won’t risk losing a player for a significant amount of time for one game. That played out last Sunday when the Packers didn’t have Jones or Watson. And it could play out again as the Packers try to get Alexander’s back issue figured out, especially with the extra future rest allowed by playing on Thursday night.
Here’s the segment from Pelissero:
#Packers RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson are expected to play tonight, though the team will be careful with their workload. Meanwhile, #Lions RB David Montgomery and LT Taylor Decker aren’t expected to play, but CB Emmanuel Moseley will make his debut. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/cH5Zu1Yeqp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2023
