The Green Bay Packers are on the heels of defending their home turf against the Chicago Bears in a 28-21 last-second victory. The game was sealed when Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was intercepted by Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon in the end zone, cementing the win and turning over the top spot in the NFC North to Green Bay.
It wasn’t an evening where the Packers emerged unscathed, however. There were a couple of injuries that occurred in the game and some that were pre-existing. They’ll be worth monitoring throughout the week as the Packers prepare to head west for a date with the Denver Broncos.
What Key Contributors Are Injured for the Packers?
1) Josh Jacobs
It was a busy day at the office for Josh Jacobs on Sunday. He logged 22 touches from scrimmage for 92 yards, including a fourth-quarter touchdown that gave the Packers the lead.
He was absent from practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, starting the week with a did-not-participate designation, according to the team’s injury report. The team’s medical staff will keep him maintained throughout the week, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Broncos is certainly in question.
The Packers, who are 9-3-1 and still in contention for the No. 1 seed in the conference, have to keep the remainder of the season and the likely playoff run in perspective. Jacobs is a seven-year veteran who turns 28 years old in February; they’ll prefer him to have fresh legs by January.
This isn’t foreign territory for Jacobs and the Packers. He’s been battling the knee injury since exiting the Nov. 16 game against the New York Giants. He missed the following week’s win over the Minnesota Vikings before returning to the lineup, so he wasn’t shelved for too long. If Jacobs can’t play this week or has to have his snaps limited, the Packers have full confidence in No. 2 running back Emanuel Wilson.
While 2025 hasn’t been as kind to Jacobs as his first season with the Packers was, he still has a PFSN RB Impact score of 80.6.
2) Javon Bullard
Like Jacobs, starting nickelback Javon Bullard picked up an injury of his own from that game against the Giants. He’s been battling an ankle issue, but hasn’t missed any time from it.
There was a point this past week where it appeared Bullard was going to be a long shot to play against the Bears, but he was active. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
A former second-round pick, Bullard has taken a significant leap in his second year in the league. He was drafted as a safety, but defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has best weaponized him in the slot, and he’s solidified his place in the lineup. This past Sunday, he was targeted three times in the passing game and surrendered just three receptions for 19 yards. That’s the most yardage he’s allowed in his last six games.
If Bullard suffers a setback with his ankle injury, the Packers will turn to Nate Hobbs, whom they acquired in free agency this past spring. Bullard appeared to be on a snap count against the Bears, as he and Hobbs rotated in the slot throughout the game.
Bullard’s play has helped the Packers’ defense take a significant leap forward in year two under Hafley, earning them a PFSN Defense Impact grade that ranks No. 12 in the league.
3) Jordan Love
Remarkably, a third injury occurred during that Giants game, and it’s at the most important position on the field.
Quarterback Jordan Love briefly exited the game after suffering a left shoulder injury, paving the way for Malik Willis to take over under center in his place. Love would return and complete 13 of his 24 passing attempts for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 27-20 win, but he’s become a mainstay on the injury report ever since.
The shoulder is much less of a concern than it was when it happened. Love has consistently been a full participant in practice, including on Wednesday. Even so, whenever the starting quarterback is unable to shake his name from the injury report, there’s always a cause for concern, even if just a little bit.
Even with Love hindered, the Packers haven’t skipped a beat. They’ve gone 4-0 since the injury and racked up three consecutive wins against NFC North opponents. Love has completed 62% of his passes for 781 yards, nine touchdowns, and just one interception with a 112.1 passer rating in the meantime.
In his third season as the Packers’ starting quarterback, he has blossomed into one of the league’s best. His 89.0 PFSN QB Impact score is behind only Josh Allen.
4) Dontayvion Wicks
After accumulating 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving in what was his best performance of the season, wideout Dontayvion Wicks was essentially missing in action on Sunday.
He was active, despite having battled lower-leg injuries for the last several weeks. First, it was a calf issue. After the Lions game, Wicks was listed with an ankle injury. Head coach Matt LaFleur said on Sunday that Wicks had to remove himself from the game and didn’t feel like he would be able to continue playing after just six offensive snaps.
Like he has been every week, Wicks was a limited participant on Wednesday. He’s arguably the best route runner amongst the Packers’ offensive weapons, so having him at their disposal as a man coverage-beater would be critical. The opportunities have been scarce for Wicks in a passing attack that disperses targets to several different players, but he’s still earned a PFSN WR Impact score of 72.6.
5) Lukas Van Ness
An already tenacious defensive front could be receiving reinforcements this week following the return of defensive end Lukas Van Ness to practice.
The third-year pass-rusher has spent much of the regular season sidelined by a foot injury that occurred in the Oct. 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He was able to avoid a stint on injured reserve, but he reaggravated the injury in his initial return against the Vikings on Nov. 23. He was forced to miss the Packers’ last two games as the team’s medical staff deemed it in his best interest that he get as close to 100% as possible.
Van Ness was a limited participant on Wednesday. Assuming all goes well and he doesn’t aggravate the injury once again, he’ll fortify the Packers’ pass rush alongside Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons. He had 16 pressures across the first five games of the season before his breakout campaign hit a roadblock.
