The Green Bay Packers released their final injury report of Week 15 on Friday afternoon. Matt LaFleur’s team ruled out three players (who are all designated for return from injured reserve) and listed four others as questionable before playing the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
As is the case every week in pro football, the injury report provided good news and bad news.
Here’s a closer look at the injury report for the Packers entering Week 15:
Good news
— The Packers didn’t rule out anyone of significance. The three players ruled out — MarShawn Lloyd, Collin Oliver and Brenton Cox Jr. — are all designated for return from injured reserve. While four are questionable, all 53 players on the active roster are going into the weekend with a chance to play on Sunday.
— Slot corner Javon Bullard and receivers Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks are all good to go for Sunday after missing time last week against the Bears. Expect all three to play a bigger role on Sunday in Denver.
— Receiver Jayden Reed is off the injury report and good to go for Sunday. He could see an uptick in snaps, especially if the Packers lean into 11 personnel against the Broncos.
— The Packers have a chance to return edge rusher Lukas Van Ness (foot) and receiver/returner Savion Williams (foot). Both are questionable, but both practiced this week. Van Ness could provide a boost to the pass-rush, both on the edge and inside, while Williams — if the foot injury is finally close to healed — could provide an explosive returner on kickoffs. It’s possible both still need another week to be ready to play.
Bad news
— Running back Josh Jacobs (knee) is questionable to play after only getting in one limited practice this week. It won’t be surprising if he ends up being a true game-time decision based on where the swelling is at in his injured knee. Stiffness and range of motion are the hurdles. Considering Jacobs missed Week 12 after the original injury, it’s possible he’ll need to sit Sunday. Rest appears to be the only remedy. Being in limbo at running back entering a matchup against an elite defense is a tough place to be for the Packers.
— Linebacker and special teamer Kristian Welch didn’t get in a full practice this week and still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol.
— Running back MarShawn Lloyd did not practice on Friday, and the team added a hamstring injury to the injury report as a reason why. Could another soft tissue injury officially end his season? He’s running out of time on another potentially lost season.