NFL's best free-agent signings of 2024: Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley lead way
Two small investments in quarterbacks and a big one in a running back topped the list of the best NFL free-agent signings in 2024.JANUARY 3
GREEN BAY PACKERS 11-6 · 3RD IN NFC NORTH
11-6 · 3RD IN NFC NORTH
Javon Bullard - Nursing ankle injury Bullard (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Bullard co-led the Packers in tackling during their Week 17 loss to the Vikings, but he appears to have picked up an ankle injury in the process. The rookie second-round pick would avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's divisional game against the Bears if he were able to practice fully Friday.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Evan Williams - Doesn't practice Thursday Williams (quadriceps) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Williams is unlikely to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bears due to a quadriceps injury that he suffered in practice leading up to the Packers' Week 16 win against the Saints, though he's expected to be back for the start of the playoffs. With Zayne Anderson (concussion) and Javon Bullard (ankle) also working through injuries, Kitan Oladapo could start at safety alongside Xavier McKinney in Week 18.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Quay Walker - DNP on Thursday Walker (ankle) did not practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Walker has been unable to practice or play since suffering an ankle injury during the Packers' Week 15 against the Seahawks. The 2022 first-round pick won't likely play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bears unless he practices in at least a limited capacity Friday. Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson will continue to see increased snaps with the first-team defense for as long as Walker is sidelined.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Packers look to finish regular season by beating the Bears for 12th straight time
The Green Bay Packers will tune up for the playoffs by trying to beat the Chicago Bears for a 12th straight time SundayJANUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chris Brooks - Remains limited Thursday Brooks (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Brooks has opened the week with consecutive limited practices due to an ankle injury he likely picked up during the Packers' Week 17 loss against the Vikings. He didn't register a carry across seven offensive snaps in that game, but in the five games prior he turned 15 carries into 71 yards and a touchdown while adding five catches on as many targets for 27 yards. Brooks could have a larger role on offense in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bears if Josh Jacobs (wrist) is limited or unable to play.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Packers hope to build momentum for the playoffs as they seek 12th straight win over Bears
Gaining momentum matters more to the Green Bay Packers than improving their playoff seeding as they gear up for the postseason against their longtime punching bag, the slumping Chi...JANUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Josh Jacobs - Another limited session Jacobs (wrist) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Jacobs opened Week 18 prep with a limited walkthrough Wednesday and maintained that activity level on day later, giving him one more chance to get back to full participation Friday or else risk entering the weekend with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Bears. In his first meeting with Chicago this season, he went for 134 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD on 22 touches back in Week 11.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Christian Watson - Friday to be key for Week 18 status Coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged Thursday that Watson (knee) likely "would have to get some work in" at Friday's practice in order to have a chance to play Sunday against the Bears,...
Impact Watson hasn't practiced since sustaining a bruised left knee Week 16 against the Saints, but he at least warmed up with his teammates Thursday for the first time since then. Friday's session thus will be key for his odds to return to action this weekend. During this past Sunday's loss at Minnesota, Dontayvion Wicks was the clear beneficiary among Packers wide receivers with Watson sidelined, ranking second at the position in snap share (73 percent) behind Romeo Doubs (86 percent) and ahead of Jayden Reed (71 percent), Bo Melton (25 percent) and Malik Heath (24 percent).
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Christian Watson - Not practicing yet Watson (knee) isn't practicing Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Impact On a positive note, though, Watson warmed up with his teammates for the first time since suffering a bruised left knee Week 16 against the Saints. He'll have one more chance to get in some on-field work this week before the Packers potentially make a ruling on his status ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Bears.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Malik Heath - Nabs second TD of season Heath played 15 of the Packers' 63 snaps on offense and reeled in his lone target for a three-yard touchdown reception in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.
Impact Heath had been a healthy inactive for the Packers' previous two contests, but he suited up as the team's No. 5 receiver in Week 17 while Christian Watson (knee) was sidelined. The 24-year-old cashed in on his lone target with his second touchdown of the season, but Heath is still likely to see his snap count take a hit in Week 18 versus the Bears if Watson is able to return to action.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Ringing in 2025: New Year's Resolutions for all 32 NFL teams
Out with the old, in with the new: Here's how all 32 NFL teams can resolve to make 2025 a better year.JANUARY 2
Packers vs. Bears Injury Report – Week 18, 2024
See who's in and who's out for the Week 18 matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears on January 5, 2025.JANUARY 1 • DATA SKRIVE
Packers CB Jaire Alexander's knee injury expected to sideline him for postseason
The Green Bay Packers apparently will have to make their entire postseason run without two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire AlexanderJANUARY 1
Christian Watson - Doesn't practice Watson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.
Impact Watson hasn't practiced since suffering a knee bruise Week 16 against the Saints, but he was listed as questionable for Sunday's eventual loss to Minnesota before ending up on the inactive list. A return to practice Thursday or Friday would give Watson a much better shot to play this Sunday against the Bears.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Packers CB Jaire Alexander's knee injury is expected to sideline him for rest of the season
The Green Bay Packers apparently will have to make their entire postseason run without two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire AlexanderJANUARY 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jaire Alexander - Undergoes surgery Tuesday Alexander had arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact Alexander hasn't played since Week 11, and he ultimately elected to have surgery to reduce the pain and swelling in his right knee. Schefter notes that the star cornerback could be able to return for the Super Bowl if Green Bay advances that far. Carrington Valentine will likely continue to work in a starting role due to Alexander's absence.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Brenton Cox Jr. - Picks up foot injury Cox (foot) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimation, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Cox appears to have sustained a foot injury in Green Bay's Week 17 loss to the Vikings, despite playing 33 total snaps (27 defensive and six on special teams) and failing to record a stat. The Florida product has been one of the Packers' most productive edge rushers since the team traded Preston Smith to the Steelers in early November, recording 12 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, and one forced fumble in just seven appearances this season. Cox likely needs to upgrade to at least limited practice participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in the Week 18 matchup against the Bears.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Brooks - Dealing with ankle injury Brooks was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle issue, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Brooks logged seven offensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps Sunday in a loss to Minnesota, and he appears to have come out of the contest with an ankle injury. The 24-year-old tallied a season-high seven touches Week 16 in a blowout win over New Orleans but didn't get any touches versus the Vikings in Week 17. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that the Packers will play their starters while being "mindful" of injured players in the team's season finale, per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com, so if Brooks is able to suit up he could see a bit more work than usual with starting RB Josh Jacobs currently managing a wrist injury.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Josh Jacobs - Limited by wrist injury Jacobs was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a wrist injury, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact His ability to participate in any capacity for the first practice of the week suggests Jacobs likely will play Sunday against the Bears. Green Bay is only playing for the difference between the Nos. 6 and 7 seeds at this point, but that doesn't mean the game will be treated different from any other, as dropping down to the final playoff spot in the NFC would mean a trip to Philadelphia in the opening round.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Jaire Alexander - Needs knee surgery Alexander will soon undergo knee surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Impact The Packers' top cornerback will finish the year having played 14 of a possible 34 regular-season games over the past two years, held back by injuries to his back, shoulder, groin and now knee. His most recent appearance was Week 11, and he's played just 10 snaps on defense since Week 8. The Packers have mostly played well on defense this season, but their subpar cornerback group could be a problem come playoff time.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Bo Melton - Targeted four times Melton caught three of four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.
Impact Melton played just 16 of the Packers' 63 offensive snaps Sunday, yet he saw a season-high four targets in the contest. The 25-year-old saw increased usage in the passing game against Minnesota with fellow wideout Christian Watson (ankle) inactive. Nonetheless, Melton remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Bears.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Luke Musgrave - Targeted once in loss Musgrave caught his lone target for four yards in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.
Impact Musgrave's reception Sunday was his first catch since Week 4 after missing the majority of the season with an ankle injury. The 24-year-old tight end has been eased back into the mix, playing just 12 of the Packers' 63 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Tucker Kraft played 54 snaps in the contest. Musgrave will likely continue to play a smaller role going forward, especially with Kraft proving to be an effective option in the passing game. The Packers visit the Bears in Week 18.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Dontayvion Wicks - Four grabs against Vikings Wicks caught four of five targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.
Impact Wicks finished second in playing time among Packers wideouts, handling a 73 percent offensive snap share in the contest. The 23-year-old's five targets were also second most among Green Bay pass catchers, trailing only Romeo Doubs (11). With teammate Christian Watson (knee) inactive for the game, Wicks saw a more prominent role than usual. With that said, he remains difficult to trust for fantasy purposes in a Week 18 matchup against the Bears.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Brooks - No touches in Week 17 Brooks failed to record a single carry or target in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.
Impact Brooks was held without a touch for just the fourth time all season. The second-year running back played just eight of the Packers' 63 offensive snaps Sunday, behind both Josh Jacobs (40) and Emanuel Wilson (20). Brooks remains far of the fantasy radar as Green Bay's No. 3 running back heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Bears.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
