The Green Bay Packers ruled out cornerback Jaire Alexander, safety Zayne Anderson, offensive tackle Andre Dillard, linebacker Quay Walker and safety Evan Williams and listed edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. and receiver Christian Watson as questionable on the final injury report before facing the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
How will the injury situation affect Sunday’s season finale showdown?
Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the Packers’ final injury report ahead of Week 18:
Out (5)
CB Jaire Alexander (knee): Alexander has surgery on his injured knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine are the top three cornerbacks, especially if Javon Bullard plays safety as expected.
S Zayne Anderson (concussion): He was concussed covering a kickoff in Minnesota last week and didn’t practice this week. The Packers will likely play rookie Javon Bullard next to Xavier McKinney at safety this week.
OT Andre Dillard (concussion): Dillard will miss another game after a suffering a concussion in practice last week. The Packers should have Kadeem Telfort, Travis Glover and Jacob Monk active as the backup offensive linemen on Sunday.
LB Quay Walker (ankle): Walker will miss a third straight game with an ankle injury suffered in Seattle. Can he healthy enough to play next week? Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson are the top three linebackers with Walker out.
S Evan Williams (quad): Like Walker, Williams will miss his third straight game. The Packers had hope of Williams returning to start the postseason, so check his participation status during the week next week. The secondary needs him back.
Questionable (2)
DL Brenton Cox Jr. (foot): His foot injury is a new one coming out of the loss in Minnesota, and he didn’t practice all week — suggesting Cox is probably a long shot to play Sunday. As a young player, he needs the reps. But the Packers need him to play important snaps at edge rusher in the postseason.
WR Christian Watson (knee): He returned to practice on Friday in a limited capacity, keeping open the possibility of playing Sunday. But why risk it? The Packers need Watson at 100 percent next weekend. It would be somewhat surprising if he plays Sunday.
No status designation
The Packers removed running back Chris Brooks, safety Javon Bullard, running back Josh Jacobs, left guard Elgton Jenkins, tight end Tucker Kraft and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt from the injury report. They will be available to play Sunday. Wyatt is returning after suffering a concussion on Sunday in Minnesota.
Bears injury report
The Bears ruled out starting guard Teven Jenkins, running back/returner Travis Homer and defensive back Elijah Hicks. Chicago will also be without starting left tackle Braxton Jones and starting safety Jaquan Brisker, who are both on injured reserve.