The Green Bay Packers added tight end Josiah Deguara to the team’s Week 18 injury report with a new calf injury. Deguara was a non-participant during Thursday’s practice.
Considering he wasn’t listed on the first injury report of the week, Deguara likely suffered the injury at some point during Wednesday’s jog-through practice.
Tight end Marcedes Lewis (veteran’s rest) was the only other player who didn’t practice on Thursday. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was off on Wednesday, returned in a full capacity.
Deguara, now in his third year, has played 245 snaps from scrimmage this season, mostly as an on-the-move run blocker for coach Matt LaFleur. The 2020 third-round pick has 13 catches on 15 targets for 114 yards and zero touchdowns on 98 routes run this season. Deguara has also played 193 special teams snaps, the fifth-most on the roster in 2022.
If Deguara can’t play against the Detroit Lions in the season finale, the Packers may need more from reserve tight end Tyler Davis, who can probably handle some of the move-blocking assignments. Rich Bisaccia would also need to find a backup to play on kickoff return, punt return and punt coverage, Deguara’s main special teams roles.
On the positive side, all six players who were limited on Wednesday – left tackle David Bakhtiari, left guard Elgton Jenkins, running back Aaron Jones, right tackle Yosh Nijman, kickoff returner/cornerback Keisean Nixon and receiver Christian Watson – all practiced again on Thursday.
The Lions were without center Frank Ragnow and defensive lineman Michael Brockers on Thursday.
The Packers and Lions will provide a final injury report with injury designations on Friday. It’s possible Deguara will be the only player with a designation on the Packers’ final report in Week 18.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]