The Green Bay Packers will be without four players for Thursday night’s showdown with the Detroit Lions, including two starters on defense, a starting receiver and a core special teamer.
Matt LaFleur’s team ruled out cornerback Jaire Alexander, receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and cornerback Corey Ballentine for Week 14.
Alexander is still recovering from an aggravation of a knee ligament injury first suffered in late October. He will miss his third straight game but could return with more recovery time by next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, although it’s worth noting he did not participate during Wednesday’s walk-through practice.
Doubs suffered a concussion against the San Francisco 49ers and will miss his second straight game. He was still in the concussion protocol as of Tuesday afternoon. Doubs practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday.
Cooper and Ballentine didn’t practice this week. Cooper will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury, while Ballentine injured his knee on the opening kickoff last Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.
The Lions ruled out left tackle Taylor Decker, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, defensive end Josh Paschal and defensive lineman DJ Reader.
The Packers and Lions will be playing their third game in a span of 12 days. Injuries — and a lack of recovery time between games — is factoring into a pivotal NFC North showdown.