The Green Bay Packers practiced again Thursday without four preferred starters: linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, safety Darnell Savage, receiver Christian Watson and receiver Jayden Reed.
Missing back-to-back practices to start a week is typically a good sign a player is in danger of missing the game. The Packers go to Carolina to play the Panthers on Sunday.
Campbell is dealing with a lingering neck injury that he said he was no longer willing to play through. The Packers are giving him time off to see if the issue can improve. Isaiah McDuffie would be the starter next to Quay Walker if Campbell can’t go.
Savage didn’t play last week vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a shoulder injury he suffered in the second half of the Packers’ loss to the New York Giants. His absence left Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford as the team’s two safeties.
Watson is in danger of missing a third straight game because of a hamstring injury he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the month. Coach Matt LaFleur said Watson is making “good progress” and has been running with the rehab group, but his return appears to be at least a week off.
Reed has played through a chest injury in recent weeks but is now dealing with a new toe injury. Tough as nails, the rookie has played at a high level despite numerous injuries over the last two months. The Packers will see if he can go Friday, the last official day of practice before the team flies to Charlotte.
There was one expected upgrade: left guard Elgton Jenkins, who didn’t practice Wednesday as the Packers manage a shoulder injury, returned in a limited capacity on Thursday. Jenkins has played through the issue each of the last two weeks.
While still on injured reserve, tight end Luke Musgrave was designated for return on Thursday and showed up on the injury report as a “did not participate” with a kidney injury. He lacerated the organ during the Packers’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers and has missed four games. Don’t expect him to play Sunday.
The Packers also added offensive tackle Caleb Jones to the injury report with a new foot issue and an illness. The injury report for the Packers is now 17 players long.
A final injury report with player status designations for Sunday arrives Friday afternoon. Considering all 17 players on the injury report were either limited or did not practice on Thursday, the team could have numerous players designated as questionable, doubtful or out come Friday.
The Panthers removed two players from the injury report (rest days on Wednesday) and upgraded right tackle Taylor Moton to limited on Thursday. Five players remain on the injury report with illnesses, including edge rusher Brian Burns, who missed a second straight day of practice.
