It’s the last thing the Packers need.
The Green Bay Packers have enjoyed relatively good luck with injuries this season, but it could be running out.
Green Bay lost several players during the loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football. Edge-rusher Lukas Van Ness hurt his thumb, right guard Sean Rhyan briefly had to exit the game, and safety Evan Williams suffered a concussion.
However, the greater concern is with rookie safety Javon Bullard, who left the game on a cart due to an ankle injury. While we don’t yet know the extent of the injury, the early signs aren’t particularly promising.
Javon Bullard undergoing MRI after leaving Packers’ loss to Lions on crutches
Bullard couldn’t return to the game after injuring his ankle. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he is undergoing an MRI today to find out how significant the injury is. It follows a report from The Athletic that the Packers’ second-round pick needed crutches and a walking boot following the game.
“Javon Bullard has his right foot in a boot and is leaving the locker room on crutches. Couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot after the ankle injury he suffered tonight,” reports The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
It’s the last thing the Packers need. The Lions exposed Green Bay’s thin secondary after Bullard and Williams left the game. With Jaire Alexander not playing, the Packers had to rely on Eric Stokes to play a significant number of snaps, and the results were painfully obvious. Stokes gave up a touchdown to Tim Patrick.
The Packers will have to figure things out in the backend of the defense if Bullard misses time. Hopefully, Williams will clear the concussion protocol during the mini-bye. He can start alongside Xavier McKinney at safety, and Green Bay could either have Keisean Nixon or rookie Kalen King play at slot corner. But it’s not ideal to lose Bullard.
The only positive is that the Packers find themselves in a good position for a playoff berth. The loss on Thursday effectively ended any hopes of winning the NFC North, but they still have a near-certain chance of reaching the postseason. They just need another win or two to punch their ticket, so they can possibly get by without Bullard and other key players in the remaining four weeks of the regular season.