The Green Bay Packers are dealing with an extremely long and critical list of injured players. The Packers fell to the Denver Broncos last Sunday but the number of injured players who left that game is far more concerning than the outcome of the game. However, the Packers must push on and the “next man up” mentality is the only path forward. The injuries are creating opportunities for a few players like Rashon Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, Darian Kinnard, Jordan Morgan, and Nate Hobbs.
Green Bay will be without Micah Parsons, their prized offseason acquisition. Parsons suffered a torn ACL in Denver. He has been nothing but advertised since arriving in Green Bay. His loss is pretty irreplaceable. Packers RT Zach Tom and S Evan Williams are battling knee injuries as well. Both Tom and Williams’ injuries are not believed to be as severe as Parsons. However, there is still a decent chance neither Tom nor Williams will be on the field Saturday night in Chicago.
The Packers Pass Rushers Can Cash In With Parsons Sidelined
Micah Parsons will not be returning this season. There is a likely scenario that Parsons will miss the first few weeks of the 2026 season as well. If the Packers want to make a run this season, the rest of the Green Bay pass rush will need to step up. Luckily for the Packers, Rashon Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Kingsley Enagbare have all the incentive in the world to answer the bell.
Enagbare will be a free agent this upcoming offseason. 2026 is the final season of Lukas Van Ness’ rookie deal and Rashon Gary has a $28 million dollar cap hit in 2026. All three of these guys have major financial reasons to play their best down the stretch. Enagbare could earn himself a brand new, eight figure deal with the Packers and/or another team. Van Ness can make a serious case for an extension to stay in Green Bay and Rashon Gary can prove why he needs to be on the 2026 roster.
T Darian Kinnard and CB Nate Hobbs Have a Lot to Gain
Packers S Evan Williams spoke to the media on Wednesday. He mentioned that he sprained his MCL and considers himself “day-to-day”. ESPN reported that Williams injury is more likely to be a “week-to-week” case. RT Zach Tom status seems to be unclear. It is believed he did not suffer a serious injury but his timeline is currently unknown at the moment. Neither Tom or Williams have practiced thus far this week, dimming the chances that either will play against the Bears.
When Tom went down on the Josh Jacobs receiving touchdown against the Broncos, the Packers turned to Darian Kinnard. It is unclear if Kinnard or Jordan Morgan will start, assuming Tom cannot play Saturday night. Both Kinnard and Morgan have several personal reasons to play. Morgan has been rather inconsistent during his first two NFL seasons. The former first round pick has not lived up to expectations so if he gets the call, he has a chance to show how good of a player he might be. Kinnard is a restricted free agent in 2026 so if he plays well, he can earn himself a spot in Green Bay next season.
The Packers have a few options to address the potential absence of Evan Williams. The most likely scenario is Jeff Hafley drops Javon Bullard into the secondary with Xavier McKinney and plays free agent acquisition Nate Hobbs in the slot. Hobbs has not lived up to expectations this season. Granted, Hobbs has battled a knee injury on a few occasions. Hobbs excelled in the slot during his time with the Raiders. It is unlikely the Packers move on from Hobbs after one season but if he gets the opportunity to show his worth, he should jump all over it.
