Packers injury report reveals concerning development at cornerback

The Green Bay Packers had no issue covering for Nate Hobbs’ Week 1 absence. Carrington Valentine filled in as CB2 and, thanks in part to a vicious pass rush, the Lions got nothing going in the pass game – or on offense in general.

The Packers play their second opponent of the season on short rest, facing off with the Commanders on Thursday Night Football. Hobbs again appeared on the injury report as a limited participant in practice throughout the week. Heading into the game, he retains a questionable tag, as in Week 1.

In addition to Hobbs, the Packers got more bad news at cornerback. Bo Melton, the third stringer on Sunday, has been ruled out for tomorrow’s contest. Kickoff could find the Packers uncomfortably thin at the position.

CB issues pose concern; rest of injury report bears no bad surprises

With the Melton news, Hobbs’ status becomes all the more important, not just for the starting lineup but depth purposes in case of an injury mid-game. Valentine and Keisean Nixon held it down on Sunday, but missing both Hobbs and Melton, the Packers would turn to Micah Robinson as the first guy off the sidelines. The rookie 7th-rounder was activated from the practice squad last week due to Hobbs’ injury.

A lack of depth won’t matter if Nixon and Valentine once again stay on the field for every snap, but still, it’s not ideal. In case of a blowout game late, it also leaves Matt LaFleur few options to get the starters off their feet on a short week. Hobbs suiting up, slotting Valentine back to CB3, would make a big difference.

Along with Melton, the Packers have also ruled out defensive lineman Brenton Cox. Both players were DNPs in practice this week.

Micah Parsons is listed as questionable, but that’s to be expected as he ramps up from a back injury. After playing 29 of 65 snaps against Detroit, he logged limited participations throughout the week. Same goes for safety Zayne Anderson.

On the offensive line, Zach Tom and Aaron Banks are also questionable. They did not take part in practice reps, but LaFleur said earlier that both will be game-time decisions.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid Drops Good News on Injured WR Xavier Worthy

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a 27-21 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1, and while the loss itself was bad enough, the team also lost star wide receiver Xavier Worthy on their first offensive drive of the game. Worthy collided with tight end Travis Kelce while trying to get open for Patrick Mahomes, and he ended up being forced out of the game with a shoulder injury.

Given Worthy’s importance to the Chiefs’ wide receiver room, especially during Rashee Rice’s ongoing six-game suspension, fans have been keeping a close eye on his status over the past few days. On Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid provided an update on Worthy that will surely make Kansas City fans happy.

Andy Reid Provides Xavier Worthy Injury Update

The Chiefs selected Worthy with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and as the year went on, his role within the team’s offense grew, largely due to necessity. With Rice and Marquise Brown both dealing with long-term injuries, Worthy had to learn on the fly, and he ended up proving that he could become the top option in Kansas City’s offense.

Worthy finished the regular season with 59 catches for 638 yards and nine total touchdowns, but he really shined in the playoffs. In the Chiefs’ three postseason contests, Worthy caught 19 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, with his performance in Super Bowl LIX (eight receptions, 157 yards, two touchdowns) being arguably the only bright spot from the game for K.C.

The hope was that Worthy could build off of his strong playoff performances from last year, but his sudden shoulder injury threw a wrench in those plans. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like Worthy is going to be sidelined for an extended period of time, as Reid revealed that the speedy pass catcher is not going to undergo surgery on the injury and that he also won’t require a stint on injured reserve.

“Chiefs coach Andy Reid says WR Xavier Worthy continues to rehab,” Jesse Newell of The Athletic shared in a post on X. “He won’t practice today. Surgery and a potential IR stint are not being considered at this time.”

Chiefs May Have Dodged a Bullet with Xavier Worthy’s Injury

Anytime a player is forced out of a game and is unable to return, it’s reasonable to be concerned about their status. However, Worthy is going to do what he can to get himself back on the field as soon as possible, and with surgery not being in the cards for the time being, that will aid his chances of making a quick return.

Considering how he didn’t practice on Wednesday, it seems like Worthy is trending towards not playing in Week 2, which would be a big blow for the Chiefs since they will be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. The goal is to have Worthy on the field for the majority of the season, rather than rushing him back for this big game. Worthy’s status will be worth keeping tabs on, and while he may not play on Sunday, it doesn’t seem like the team is expecting him to miss much time.