The Packers are trying to get their passing game going post Aaron Rodgers, and it looks like they’ll have to do it without Martellus Bennett. He’s got a shoulder injury that kept him out of practice all week.
The Packers will adjust by using Lance Kendricks more, and they’ll also probably dust off Richard Rodgers, who’s hardly gotten on the field after serving as their starter last year.
Since signing a three-year deal worth $20.25 million, Bennett has been a big disappointment. He hasn’t caught a touchdown all year. (If and when he finally gets in the end zone, he’ll become the first tight end to catch touchdowns for five different teams.) He’s 30, and he suggested last week that he’ll likely retire at the end of the season.
For fantasy purposes, Bennett is Green Bay’s only notable injury. Defensive tackle Quinton Dial and linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Joe Thomas will all miss this game, but combined they’ve started only three games this year.
The Lions are pretty healthy. Greg Robinson (ankle) is out, but they actually got their best left tackle play of the season last week when Robinson was sitting, with youngster Brian Mihalik making his first start. Kenny Golladay (hamstring) is doubtful, but he’s just their fourth wide receiver.
Detroit’s best pass rusher, Ezekiel Ansah (knee) is questionable, but he was able to do limited work in practice the last three days.
DETROIT LIONS at GREEN BAY PACKERS
DETROIT LIONS
OUT T Greg Robinson (ankle)
DOUBTFUL WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE DE Ezekiel Ansah (knee), S Don Carey (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday: S Don Carey (knee), WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring), T Greg Robinson (ankle)
Friday: WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring), T Greg Robinson (ankle)
Saturday: T Greg Robinson (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: DE Ezekiel Ansah (knee), RB Dwayne Washington (concussion)
Friday: DE Ezekiel Ansah (knee), S Don Carey (knee)
Saturday: DE Ezekiel Ansah (knee), S Don Carey (knee), WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: T Emmett Cleary (ankle), LB Paul Worrilow (knee)
Friday: T Emmett Cleary (ankle), RB Dwayne Washington (concussion), LB Paul Worrilow (knee)
Saturday: T Emmett Cleary (ankle), RB Dwayne Washington (concussion), LB Paul Worrilow (knee)
GREEN BAY PACKERS (Green Bay did not conduct a practice on Saturday. The Saturday practice report is an estimation.)
OUT LB Joe Thomas (ankle)
DOUBTFUL TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks (back), DT Quinton Dial (chest)
QUESTIONABLE CB Damarious Randall (hamstring, illness), G Lane Taylor (ankle)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday: TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder), S Kentrell Brice (ankle), LB Ahmad Brooks (back), DT Quinton Dial (chest), LB Joe Thomas (ankle)
Friday: TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks (back), DT Quinton Dial (chest), LB Joe Thomas (ankle)
Saturday: TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks (back), DT Quinton Dial (chest), LB Joe Thomas (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: S Morgan Burnett (hamstring), LS Taybor Pepper (foot), G Lane Taylor (ankle)
Friday: G Lane Taylor (ankle)
Saturday: G Lane Taylor (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: T David Bakhtiari (hamstring), RB Ty Montgomery (ribs, wrist), LB Nick Perry (hand), CB Damarious Randall (hamstring)
Friday: T David Bakhtiari (hamstring), S Morgan Burnett (hamstring), RB Ty Montgomery (ribs, wrist), LB Nick Perry (hand), CB Damarious Randall (hamstring)
Saturday: T David Bakhtiari (hamstring), S Morgan Burnett (hamstring), RB Ty Montgomery (ribs, wrist), LB Nick Perry (hand), CB Damarious Randall (hamstring, illness)