The Green Bay Packers will be without starting inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and starting safety Darnell Savage for Sunday’s Week 16 showdown with the Carolina Panthers. Both veterans were ruled out Friday by coach Matt LaFleur.
Campbell is dealing with a lingering neck injury. After a rough performance last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Campbell said he is no longer willing to play through a debilitating injury in a social media post made this week. The Packers held him out of practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. Isaiah McDuffie is the expected starter next to Quay Walker for Sunday in Carolina.
Savage will miss a second straight game and his seventh in the last nine games. He injured his shoulder during the Packers’ Week 13 loss to the New York Giants. Previously, a calf injury landed Savage on injured reserve, where he missed five games (Weeks 8-12). Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens will have to hold down the fort at safety, with rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. as a top backup.
Green Bay’s defense is attempting to bounce back from back-to-back disappointing performances. The Packers will face No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, who has thrown nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions in 14 games. Communication was a big issue against the Bucs, and the Packers will be without leaders at linebacker and safety.
The Packers are also listing receiver Christian Watson as doubtful to play. The team hasn’t had a player listed as doubtful to play all season, so Watson will be expected to miss a third consecutive game.
Tight end Luke Musgrave, who was designated for return from injured reserve, was also ruled out. He isn’t on the 53-man roster until he’s activated from injured reserve. Tucker Kraft, who has 13 catches and a pair of scores in the last four games, will handle the majority of reps at tight end vs. the Panthers.
Running back Emanuel Wilson and offensive tackle Luke Tenuta, who — like Musgrave — were designated for return from injured reserve this week, are also doubtful.
Seven players, including cornerback Jaire Alexander and running back A.J. Dillon, are questionable to play.
Packers Wire will have more on the final injury report in our final breakdown Friday.