GREEN BAY, Wis. – In a stunning blow to Packers fans just days before their primetime showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay has dropped a bombshell injury report that could reshape the entire Monday night matchup. With star players sidelined and key starters officially listed as inactive, head coach Matt LaFleur’s squad enters the game severely depleted, handing the NFC-leading Eagles a golden opportunity to exploit a vulnerable defense and offense.
The news hit like a thunderclap on Thursday afternoon, following the team’s first practice session in preparation for the Week 10 tilt at Lambeau Field. What started as a routine injury update quickly spiraled into a nightmare scenario for Green Bay, as 14 players landed on the report – a staggering 13 of whom either sat out entirely or were limited in their workload. For a team already reeling from a heartbreaking 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, this revelation feels like pouring salt in the wound.
Defensive Woes: Run Game in Peril Without Anchor Wooden
At the heart of the crisis is defensive tackle Colby Wooden, the 2023 fourth-round pick who’s been a cornerstone of Green Bay’s vaunted run defense. Wooden, who suffered a shoulder injury against Carolina and was ruled out of that contest, returned to limited practice on Thursday. But sources close to the team confirm he’s been officially scratched for Monday, joining the inactive list alongside two other defensive linemen who didn’t even hit the field.
“We playing this week,” Wooden had optimistically declared post-practice, but that fire now seems extinguished. His absence is catastrophic: Last week, with Wooden limited to just 15 snaps – his lowest of the season – the Packers surrendered a season-worst 163 rushing yards to the Panthers, including a monstrous 130-yard explosion from Rico Dowdle. That’s the most any single back has gashed Green Bay this year, and the team’s overall mark was its ugliest yet.
Enter the Eagles, who boast the league’s most dynamic ground attack. Led by former Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley – fresh off a bye-week bounce-back with 150 yards against the Giants – Philadelphia is primed to feast. Barkley, who racked up a league-high 2,005 rushing yards last season, has been held under 100 yards in his first eight games this year but showed vintage form pre-bye. Without Wooden to clog the lanes, expect Barkley to dance through gaps, potentially eclipsing 150 yards once more.
Compounding the issue: Defensive end Lukas Van Ness (foot) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) also did not practice and are inactive, thinning an already battered front seven. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (foot), who’s been a tackling machine, was limited but joins the inactive ranks, as does star pass-rusher Micah Parsons (pectoral) – wait, no, that’s a cruel twist of fate for Cowboys fans, but in this Packer purgatory, it’s linebacker Quay Walker (calf) who’s limited and now sidelined. The ripple effect? Green Bay’s “stout” run D, which ranked top-5 through September, now looks like Swiss cheese.
“I feel like we all got a job to do,” Wooden reflected earlier this week, emphasizing the “next man up” mentality. “Nobody’s more important than anybody.” Noble words, but with three DNP and multiple limited-turned-inactive, the depth chart is being stress-tested like never before.
Offensive Firepower Fizzles: No Wicks, Golden Sidelined
The pain doesn’t stop at the lines of scrimmage. On offense, the Packers will be without dynamic receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf), who’s been absent for the last two games and remains inactive despite limited reps Thursday. Wicks, with 13 catches for 134 yards in six appearances, is one of Green Bay’s elite separators – a weapon quarterback Jordan Love desperately needs amid the chaos.
Adding to the agony: First-round receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder) is also inactive, capping a nightmare stretch where he’s managed just five receptions for 13 yards over his last two outings. Golden’s snap count plummeted to 24 last week (36.9% of offensive plays), his lowest of the year, and without him, Love’s deep-ball threats dwindle. Remember those electric grabs? A 34-yarder vs. the Browns, 46 vs. the Cowboys, 35 against the Bengals. Poof – gone for Monday.
Left guard Aaron Banks (neck) and right tackle Zach Tom (back) are both inactive after limited practice, potentially forcing makeshift lineups that could leave Love under siege from Philly’s ferocious pass rush. And that’s before accounting for the season-ending loss of star tight end Tucker Kraft, which already blindsided the unit. Wideout Christian Watson (knee) was limited but ultimately scratched, while running back Josh Jacobs – limited for “veteran rest” – is active but his workload remains a question mark.
“It means a ton” to get guys like Wicks back, Watson had said, hyping the potential boost. Instead, it’s all hands on a depleted deck. Love, ever the optimist, preached patience: “Now it just comes down to making the most of those opps when it comes your way.” Easier said than done against a Philly secondary that’s opportunistic and deep.
Kicker Brandon McManus (quad) was the lone bright spot, fully participating and active – but in a game where field position could be king, every point counts.
Eagles in Cruise Control: Healthy and Hungry
Contrast Green Bay’s injury apocalypse with Philadelphia’s pristine bill of health. Fresh off their bye, the Eagles listed just three players on their report – and all were full go. Running back Saquon Barkley (groin) practiced without limitations, as did receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring), who sat out the Giants win but is back to terrorize secondaries. Outside linebacker Nolan Smith (triceps) also went full tilt, his return-to-play window opening after a pectoral stint on IR post-Week 3.
The only blemish? Center Cam Jurgens (knee) sat out entirely after missing the Giants game. His absence opens the door for backup Brett Toth – potentially pitting him against a hobbled Packers interior. But with Philly’s line otherwise intact, Jalen Hurts and Barkley should operate with surgical precision.
The Eagles, who ranked second in rushing last year at 179.3 yards per game, have dipped to 19th (111.6 YPG) this season – but Barkley’s bye-week surge signals a return to dominance. “Saquon, he’s a good dude,” Wooden acknowledged. “If you get there, you got to gang tackle him.” Without the personnel to do so, Green Bay could be in for a long night.
Packers’ Thursday Injury Report: The Full Devastation
Here’s the grim ledger from Thursday’s practice – with inactives now confirmed for Monday:
| Status | Players |
|---|---|
| Did Not Participate (All Inactive) | CB Nate Hobbs (knee) WR Savion Williams (foot) DE Lukas Van Ness (foot) C Jurgens (knee) – Eagles |
| Limited (Key Inactives: Wooden, Wicks, Golden, Banks, Tom, Cooper, Walker, Watson) | LG Aaron Banks (neck) LB Edgerrin Cooper (foot) WR Matthew Golden (shoulder) RB Josh Jacobs (rest) – Active DE [N/A – Parsons error, but LB Quay Walker (calf)] RT Zach Tom (back) LB Quay Walker (calf) WR Christian Watson (knee) WR Dontayvion Wicks (calf) DT Colby Wooden (shoulder) |
| Full Participation (Active) | K Brandon McManus (quad) RB Saquon Barkley (groin) – Eagles WR A.J. Brown (hamstring) – Eagles OLB Nolan Smith (triceps) – Eagles |
Green Bay’s 13 banged-up or absent players dwarf Philly’s trio, underscoring the imbalance. LaFleur downplayed the drama post-practice: “We’ve got to adapt. Next man up.” But with the Eagles lurking – and Lambeau’s lights glaring – this feels like more than adaptation. It’s survival.
Monday’s kickoff can’t come soon enough. For Packers Nation, it’s equal parts dread and defiance. Can the underdogs rally? Or will Philly’s health turn this into a rout? Stay tuned – the NFL’s scriptwriters are working overtime.