GREEN BAY – The Packers have removed David Bakhtiari (chest) from their injury report, clearing the way for the All-Pro left tackle's return this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bakhtiari missed the past three games with a chest injury he sustained in Tampa Bay last month but was a full participant in all three practices this week.
Green Bay has listed seven as questionable: cornerback Kevin King (quadrcieps), tight end Robert Tonyan (ankle), tackle Rick Wagner (knee), receivers Darrius Shepherd (shoulder) and Equanimeous St. Brown (knee), and safeties Will Redmond (shoulder) and Vernon Scott (shoulder).
Cornerback Jaire Alexander (concussion) is doubtful, while first-year tight end John Lovett (knee) has been ruled out. Alexander remains in the concussion protocol but returned in a limited capacity on Friday. He's played in 26 consecutive games dating back to the 2018 finale.
"He's working his way through it and he's getting better every day, and that's why you saw him a little bit out there (Friday)," said Head Coach Matt LaFleur of Alexander.
"We'll see how he feels (Saturday) and see if he can continue to make the necessary progress to check all the boxes. Certainly we're never going to put somebody out there in a situation where they can do further damage to themselves. I know he's doing everything in his power. It's just sometimes these things take time."
In addition to Bakhtiari, the Packers removed five from injury report who are expected to be available: running backs Aaron Jones (calf) and Tyler Ervin (wrist), tight end Marcedes Lewis (knee), and linebackers Preston Smith (shoulder) and Za'Darius Smith (not injury report).
LaFleur also said receiver Allen Lazard and linebacker Christian Kirksey, both currently on injured reserve, will have up until game time to possibly make their returns against the Jaguars. Procedurally, both would need to be designated to return on Saturday in order to be available Sunday.
The Jaguars have ruled out receiver Laviska Shenault (hamstring), quarterback Gardner Minshew (right thumb), linebacker Dakota Allen (ankle), running back Devine Ozigbo (hamstring) and defensive tackle Doug Costin (concussion).
Safety Josh Jones (chest) and offensive lineman Brandon Linder (back) are questionable.
Eight others were removed from the injury report and are expected to be available: receiver D.J. Chark (illness/non-COVID), tight ends Tyler Eifert (neck) and James O'Shaughnessy (rest), cornerback Chris Claybrooks (shoulder), linebacker Kamalei Correa (hip), offensive linemen Andrew Norwell (calf) and Cam Robinson (knee), and defensive end Adam Gotsis (rest).
Green Bay Packers
| Player, Pos. | INJURY | WED | THUR | FRI | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaire Alexander, CB | Concussion/Hand | DNP | DNP | LP | Doubtful |
| David Bakhtiari, T | Chest | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Tyler Ervin, RB | Wrist | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Aaron Jones, RB | Calf | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Kevin King, CB | Quadricep | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Marcedes Lewis, TE | Knee | LP | DNP | FP | -- |
| John Lovett, TE | Knee | FP | LP | DNP | Out |
| Will Redmond, S | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Vernon Scott, S | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Darrius Shepherd, WR | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
| Preston Smith, LB | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Za'Darius Smith, LB | Not Injury Related | DNP | -- | -- | -- |
| Equanimeous St. Brown, WR | Knee | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Robert Tonyan, TE | Ankle | -- | LP | DNP | Questionable |
| Rick Wagner, T | Knee | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Jacksonville Jaguars
| Player, Pos. | INJURY | WED | THUR | FRI | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Allen, LB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| DJ Chark JR, WR | Illness (Not COVID related) | -- | DNP | FP | -- |
| Chris Claybrooks, CB | Shoulder | LP | LP | FP | -- |
| Kamalei Correa, LB | Hip | LP | LP | FP | -- |
| Doug Costin, DT | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Tyler Eifert, TE | Neck/Scheduled Day Off | DNP | FP | FP | -- |
| Adam Gotsis, DE | Scheduled Day Off | -- | DNP | FP | -- |
| Josh Jones, S | Chest | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Brandon Linder, OL | Hip/Scheduled Day Off | DNP | LP | DNP | Questionable |
| Gardner Minshew II, QB | Right Thumb | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Andrew Norwell, OL | Calf | LP | LP | FP | -- |
| James O'Shaughnessy, TE | Scheduled Day Off | -- | DNP | FP | -- |
| Devine Ozigbo, RB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Cam Robinson, OL | Knee | -- | LP | FP | -- |
| Laviska Shenault Jr., WR | Hamstring | LP | LP | DNP | Out |
| Andrew Wingard, S* | Core Muscle Injury | LP | FP | FP | IR-DFR |
*Please note that S Andrew Wingard (core muscle injury) remains on the Jaguars' reserve/injured-designated for return list.
