Tag: Tom

Zach Tom out for Packers; Kyler Gordon in for Bears

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers right tackle Zach Tom is inactive for Saturday night’s NFC wild-card game against the Chicago Bears due to his knee injury.

Tom was injured against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 14 and missed the final three regular-season games.

Tom, 26, started all 12 games he played this season and has played in 55 games (51 starts) in four NFL seasons.

Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (groin) is active for the contest after missing the past five games due to a groin injury.

Gordon, 26, also missed time with a hamstring injury this season and has played in just three games.

Gordon has five interceptions in 45 games (35 starts) over four seasons for Chicago.

The Bears listed receiver Jahdae Walker, offensive lineman Luke Newman, defensive lineman Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson and linebackers Amen Ogbongbemiga and Ruben Hyppolite II on their inactive list.

Green Bay’s other inactives are receivers Dontayvion Wicks and Jakobie Keeney-James, defensive lineman Collin Oliver and cornerback Jaylin Simpson.

Desmond Ridder is the Packers’ emergency quarterback. Case Keenum serves in that role for the Bears.

–Field Level Media

RB Josh Jacobs, other Packers might be game-time decisions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Already without star defensive end Micah Parsons for the rest of the season, the Green Bay Packers are dealing with other key injuries — namely star running back Josh Jacobs — ahead of Saturday’s crucial divisional showdown at the Chicago Bears.

Jacobs (knee), starting right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee), starting safety Evan WIlliams (knee) and starting wide receiver Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) have not practiced all week, but Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said on Thursday that he is not ready to rule out any of them with first place on the line.

The Packers (9-4-1), who beat Chicago in Week 14, are a half-game behind the Bears (10-4) in the NFC North.

“We’ve got a lot of guys — this injury list is pretty substantial — so we’ve got a lot of things to figure out over these next couple of days,” LaFleur told reporters.

“I know every one of these guys is going to be fighting to make it by gametime.”

Along with the knee injury he has been battling for weeks, Jacobs is also dealing with an ankle issue. The 27-year-old has rushed for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games this season. He also has 33 receptions for 270 yards and one score.

If Jacobs does sit, Emanuel Wilson would take over lead back duties, while Darian Kinnard would be in line to replace Tom. Kinnard replaced Tom after the latter left Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos after Jacobs’ receiving touchdown in the second quarter. Jordan Morgan, Green Bay’s 2024 first-round draft pick, could also see time at right tackle.

Wilson filled in for Jacobs in Week 12 and rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. For the season, Wilson, 26, has rushed for 354 yards and three scores on 90 carries in 14 games.

Williams told reporters Wednesday that he sprained his MCL and considered himself day-to-day. Zayne Anderson took over for Williams and is a candidate to start if Williams can’t go Saturday, though Green Bay could also move slot corner Javon Bullard to safety.

Watson, who left Sunday’s loss after Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II landed on him while intercepting a pass, was taken to a hospital for tests but was cleared of any serious injury and may suit up Saturday.

LaFleur said it will depend on how the 26-year-old is able to manage the pain in his chest and shoulder and whether those areas affect his performance. Watson has 28 receptions for 481 yards and five TDs in eight games this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on in the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Rested Packers could roll back Micah Parsons’ snap count

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With a few extra days off, Packers coach Matt LaFleur watched the win over the Commanders five times since Green Bay improved to 2-0 last Thursday.

“We had a couple pre-snap penalties, you never want any of those, we had a couple penalties on special teams that played a big impact on field position,” LaFleur said. “There was a lot to like. There is a lot to work on. Offensively, the level of detail needs to be better in regard to making sure you are maximizing every opportunity you get.”

Green Bay hits the road for the first time this season to visit the Cleveland Browns (0-2) this week. Pass rusher Micah Parsons (back) might be available even more this week after a “soft” snap count in his first two games.

“Sometimes from a coaching standpoint, you have too much time and can overthink things. The biggest benefit is for our guys to get healthy,” LaFleur said.

But LaFleur set the record straight Tuesday that the Packers might have a perfect record, but the product is far from it.

“For the score to be 17-10 in the fourth quarter, I thought we were in control for most of that game,” he said. “There were some positives as well.”

LaFleur said the Packers are zeroing in on blocking defensive end Myles Garrett, which is complicated with right tackle Zach Tom’s status up in the air. He was out in Week 2 but “feels a lot better than he did,” LaFleur said.

Tom is working through an oblique injury. Anthony Belton started a right tackle against Washington.

“It’s not like we’re just going to throw in the towel and give up. We’ll come up with something,” LaFleur said.

Left guard Aaron Banks (ankle/groin) also missed Week 2.

–Field Level Media