GREEN BAY – The Packers have listed six questionable and ruled out three for Sunday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field.
Those questionable include kicker Brandon McManus (right quadricep), tackles Rasheed Walker (quadricep) and Zach Tom (oblique/back), guard Aaron Banks (groin/knee), cornerback Nate Hobbs (concussion) and center/guard Jacob Monk (hamstring/designated to return from injured reserve).
Defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (knee), tackle Anthony Belton (ankle) and receiver Christian Watson (knee/IR-DTR) have been ruled out.
Despite his questionable status, McManus told reporters on Thursday “I plan on playing” against Cincinnati. He popped up on the injury report Wednesday after feeling “a tug” in his quad while warming up for field goals.
“I gave it a couple minutes, tried again and I just shut it down for the day,” McManus said. “It felt very similar to when I had a quad-type deal in 2022. We were going into play the Ravens when I was with the Broncos, and it happened on Wednesday and then I just pretty much took the week off and then played on Sunday.”
The 12th-year kicker was officially listed as limited in all three practices this week.
Tom and Banks practiced all week in limited fashion, but both had new injuries added to their status on Friday – Banks with the knee and Tom with the back.
Walker returned in a limited capacity Friday after not practicing Thursday. Green Bay’s starting left tackle has played 260 of a possible 264 offensive snaps this season.
“We’ll see,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur about Walker’s status before Friday’s practice. “We’re going to follow through and see what he can do today.”
Wyatt didn’t practice this week after leaving in the second quarter of Green Bay’s matchup with Dallas before the bye. Before the team’s Week 5 bye, LaFleur categorized the fourth-year defensive lineman as “week-to-week.”
Without Wyatt, the Packers will lean on third-year veterans Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks, undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse and sixth-round pick Warren Brinson, who was inactive during Green Bay’s first four games.
“My main thing is to do my job and uphold the standard,” Brinson said. “I don’t want people to be able to be like, ‘Oh, Devonte Wyatt’s not here, it’s a drop off.’ No, it’s going to be the same thing. We’re gonna have people go out there and produce.”
LaFleur confirmed Friday morning that Watson won’t be activated off IR yet but told reporters the fourth-year wideout had a strong week of practice after the team opened his 21-day window to return to the active roster on Monday.
“He has looked pretty damn good,” LaFleur said. “I’m excited for when that day comes. He’s definitely going to add an element to our offense.”
Green Bay didn’t issue a game status for the following players who will be available: quarterback Jordan Love (left thumb/ankle), tight end Tucker Kraft (elbow), tackle/guard Jordan Morgan (knee), defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare (ankle), and receiver Savion Williams (knee).
Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase (illness) was added to the injury report on Friday and is questionable, along with guard Dylan Fairchild (knee), center Matt Lee (knee), and guard Lucas Patrick (calf).
Defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle) is doubtful.
Cincinnati didn’t issue a game status for the following players who will be available: receiver Charlie Jones (Achilles), tight end Drew Sample (ankle), linebacker Shaka Heyward (illness) and defensive end B.J. Hill (rest/ankle).
Patrick is currently on injured reserve with a designation to return and would need to be added to the active roster to play on Sunday.
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