The Green Bay Packers returned rookie defensive back Javon Bullard to the practice field on Thursday but were without receiver Christian Watson to start on-field prep for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official site.
Bullard, who has played safety and in the slot, missed the last two games after injuring his ankle against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 5. Watson injured his knee against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night but avoided a significant injury.
The Packers were also without rookie safety Evan Williams, who injured his quad during practice last Saturday and didn’t play against the Saints, and linebacker Quay Walker, who also didn’t play against the Saints after injuring his ankle in the Packers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 15. Rookie Ty’Ron Hopper injured his ankle on Monday night and was not available to practice Thursday.
Watson, Williams, Walker and Hopper were all estimated as non-participants on Wednesday although the Packers did not practice. On a short week coming off a Monday night game, all four might be hard-pressed to play Sunday against the Vikings.
Although the potential return of Bullard could help ease the loss of Williams at safety, Watson and his threatening speed would be missed against a stingy Vikings defense. In the first meeting in September, Watson suffered an injury in the first half and didn’t play for the most of the final three quarters.
The Packers also had cornerback Jaire Alexander on the field on Thursday. He’s been a full participant at practices over the last two weeks but hasn’t returned to game action since playing only 10 snaps in a win over the Bears in Week 11. Alexander is attempting to return from a knee ligament injury suffered in late October.
The Packers will put out an updated injury report on Thursday afternoon and a final injury report on Friday before playing the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
