Getting a win in his first career start at Lambeau Field got incredibly more difficult for quarterback Jordan Love with the arrival of the inactive list for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday morning.
The Packers made running back Aaron Jones, receiver Christian Watson, left tackle David Bakhtiari, left guard Elgton Jenkins and cornerback Jaire Alexander — all key starters — inactive for Week 3.
Jones and Watson are still recovering from hamstring injuries. Bakhtiari missed last week with knee swelling and is out again. Jenkins hurt his knee in Atlanta and will miss multiple weeks. Alexander is dealing with a new back issue that put him on the injury report on Friday.
A.J. Dillon will start at running back. Rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks will get more snaps at receiver. Rasheed Walker is the likely starter at left tackle. Royce Newman is the likely starter at left guard. Rookie Carrington Valentine will get perimeter snaps at cornerback.
Can the Packers overcome the absences of five key players and knock the Saints from the ranks of unbeaten on Sunday?
Love, after starts in Kansas City, Chicago and Atlanta, will finally get a chance to start at Lambeau Field on Sunday. He will have to navigate around not having his top running back, top recevier, top two offensive linemen, plus the Packers defense won’t have its top coverage player.
Safety Zayne Anderson, who has an injured hamstring, and rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr. are also inactive.