#Packers RB Jamaal Williams and LB Kamal Martin were both designated high-risk close contacts to A.J. Dillon, source said. They're out for Thursday night.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 3, 2020
The Green Bay Packers will be without both running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, and neither will miss the game due to an injury.
Why won’t Williams and Martin be available?
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the NFL ruled both players as “high-risk close contacts” to running back A.J. Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19.
The ruling is based on information from contact tracing.
Due to the designation, both Williams and Martin must now isolate and be away from the team for at least five days, meaning neither player could return until Saturday.
The Packers already placed Dillon on the COVID-19 reserve list.
The team’s running back position is in shambles, with Dillon and Williams unavailable and starter Aaron Jones still fighting through a calf injury. Tyler Ervin has running back experience, and second-year running back Dexter Williams is on the practice squad.
The Packers have more depth at linebacker, with Krys Barnes, Ty Summers, Oren Burks and newcomer James Burgess available. It’s possible Christian Kirksey (pectoral) could be activated off injured reserve before Thursday.
[listicle id=52582]