On deck: How injuries have impacted Packers since playing Lions in season opener

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Allen Park — It’s been nearly three months since the Detroit Lions opened the season in Green Bay. That day belonged to the Packers, who scored on the game’s opening possession, opened up a three-score lead in the second half and cruised to a 27-13 victory.

The matchup provided our first taste of the offensive inconsistencies that have plagued the Lions through the 2025 campaign, adjusting to life after Ben Johnson and Frank Ragnow.

A week later, the Packers thumped the Washington Commanders, and national observers started to wonder if Green Bay was going to run away with the NFC North. However, like the Lions, the Packers have battled their fair share of ups and downs this year, including ugly losses to the Browns and Panthers, and a 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys in primetime.

Now, heading into a critical Thanksgiving matchup in the North race, both teams find themselves inexplicably looking up at the Bears, who are 8-3 on the year.

Ahead of each of Detroit’s games, we like to look at what’s new with the opponent. Obviously, we’ve already done that once with the Packers this year, a summary that focused on the team’s bold trade for All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons just before the start of the season.

Nothing is going to supersede that, but like any NFL team, the Packers have had to evolve as the season has progressed, responding to some injuries in key spots. They also got a notable contributor who missed the start of the season back from injury.

Offensively, the team has been down its leading receiver from a year ago, Jayden Reed, since Week 2. The former Michigan State Spartan, who scored against the Lions in Week 1, suffered a broken collarbone.

He did recently return to practice, and there’s a chance he’s activated ahead of Thursday’s game.

While Reed was out, tight end Tucker Kraft emerged as quarterback Jordan Love’s top target. Through eight games, he was on an All-Pro pace, with 32 receptions for 489 yards and six scores. Unfortunately, he was lost to injury, too, suffering a torn ACL in Week 9.

The Packers suffered one more big blow, losing center Elgton Jenkins to a broken leg. The two-time Pro Bowler has been replaced by Sean Rhyan, who shifted over from guard. Additionally, it appears that rookie Anthony Belton, a second-round pick last April, is emerging as a starting option after playing the heavy side of a guard rotation against Pittsburgh last week.

On the plus side, the Packers got back receiver Christian Watson. The former second-round pick missed the start of the season while recovering from his own ACL tear, and has looked as good as ever with 24 grabs for 283 yards through his first five appearances this season. He’s coming off a game where he saw a season-high seven targets.

Interestingly, first-round receiver Matthew Golden has largely remained a non-factor as he’s battled nagging injuries. He sat out last week and has just 24 grabs through nine games.

In terms of the backfield, star running back Josh Jacobs has also had a bit of a down year, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry, although he’s found the end zone 11 times. He missed last week’s game with a knee injury to give him a better shot at playing this week. It would be surprising if he sits again.

Defensively, the Packers have fewer moving pieces.

Parsons has been everything the team hoped when they paid the steep asking price to bring him aboard and sign him to an extension. He’s up to 10.0 sacks on the year, and his 60 quarterback pressures are among the league leaders.

Cornerback has continued to be the biggest area of concern for Green Bay. Nate Hobbs, the free agent addition who missed the opener, hasn’t played since Week 9. And Keisean Nixon exited last week’s game with a stinger, putting both starters’ status in question for Thanksgiving.

With the pair sidelined last week, Ypsilanti native Kamal Hadden, a sixth-round pick for the Chiefs in 2024, logged the first defensive snaps of his career.