The Green Bay Packers are hoping to return two defensive starters from injuries when Matt LaFleur’s team goes to Philadelphia to play the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round on Sunday.
Linebacker Quay Walker and safety Evan Williams, who both missed the final three games of the regular season with lower-body injuries, have a chance to return this week, but LaFleur cautioned that both players still need to get back on the practice field and get through the week before they are cleared to play on Sunday.
Walker injured his ankle in Seattle on Dec. 15 and hasn’t played or practiced since. Williams suffered a quad injury during practice on Saturday, Dec. 21 and hasn’t played or practiced since.
The Packers practice for the first time this week on Wednesday. The team will also release the first injury report on Wednesday.
The Packers may need both Walker and Williams back on the field and close to 100 percent to defend a dynamic Eagles offense led by running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for over 2,000 yards this season.
In the first meeting against the Eagles, Walker only played a handful of snaps next to dynamic rookie Edgerrin Cooper, who has emerged as a top playmaker to end the 2024 season. Williams was active but didn’t play a single snap on defense in the season opener. Walker was playing some of his best football before the ankle in Seattle, and Williams has enjoyed a stellar rookie season as a starter next to Xavier McKinney at safety.