A future Packers opponent has been laid low by injuries

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Do you know who won’t feel sorry for the Green Bay Packers if Jaire Alexander, Christian Watson and Devonte Wyatt are out of the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams?

Rams coach Sean McVay.

His team is plagued by injuries. They will be without two starting receivers and both starting guards in this week’s game.

Here’s a look at the key injuries affecting the Packers’ next four opponents.

Week 5: at the Los Angeles Rams

The Rams were decimated, especially on offense. Receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is on injured reserve and receiver Cooper Kupp’s return to the lineup from an ankle injury could be a few weeks away.

Without Kupp, a first-team All-Pro in 2021, and Nacua, a second-team All-Pro in 2023, the Rams’ offense has predictably stalled. Matthew Stafford ranks just 18th in passer rating and is third to last in touchdown percentage as the Rams score fewer than 19 points per game.

Starting guards Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson are also on injured reserve.

On defense, cornerbacks Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick and safety John Johnson are on IR.

Williams (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison (arm) could return for this game.

“I don’t want to put an unnecessary schedule on these guys, but they’re making good progress,” McVay told reporters on Monday. “It’s certainly not something I would rule out, the possibility of them leaving.”

The Rams have arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL, ranking 31st in opponent pass rating and 32nd in yards per attempt. Getting Williams back would help.

“We had guys in and out of the lineup, corners were in and out of the lineup,” McVay said. “When you start moving people around and having moving parts, it’s difficult to establish continuity. That wasn’t part of the plan (but) that’s the reality we live in.”

Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals signed right tackle Jonah Williams to a two-year, $30 million contract in free agency. He suffered a knee injury in Week 1 and could be back against the Packers, but coach Jonathan Gannon only said “we’ll see” when asked last week whether Williams could play again this season.

Defensive tackle Darius Robinson, the team’s second-round pick, suffered a calf injury during the preseason. He remains on injured reserve but could be back to face the Packers.

Another rookie, third-round cornerback Elijah Jones, went on IR with a heel injury during the final roster cuts in August. He could be back too.

Defensive tackle Justin Jones, one of the team’s biggest free-agent additions after recording 4.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits for the Bears last year, suffered a season-ending triceps tear a few weeks ago. Pass rusher BJ Ojulari suffered a torn ACL in training camp and is also out for the season.

Week 7: vs. Houston Texans

Houston has seven players on its injured reserve, but none are significant contributors.

Tight end Brevin Jordan, who caught 51 passes and started 11 games in his first three seasons, is out for the season with a torn ACL. He sustained the injury in the opening game against Chicago, but he played through it.

“This is what we do,” Jordan wrote on I love this football shit so much, bro. Everything about it. And I’m looking forward to coming back better than ever.”

The big name is cornerback Jeff Okudah, but the former third pick of the draft was only a backup.

Week 8: at the Jacksonville Jaguars

Cornerback Tyson Campbell, who signed a four-year, $76.5 million contract extension before training camp despite giving up eight touchdowns and one interception last year, will be eligible to come off injured reserve a few weeks before the Packers arrive in town to get out. He is struggling with a hamstring injury.

Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who led the NFL in tackles in 2021 and 2022 and in solo tackles in 2023, was placed on injured reserve last week with a foot injury. He would be eligible to return to face the Packers.

Safety Andrew Wingard, a part-time starter who suffered a knee injury early in training camp, should be back for this game. He had five interceptions in his first five seasons.

Former Packers safety Darnell Savage (quad) is not on injured reserve but has been out since Week 1. After breaking up just one pass for the Packers last year, he had two in the opening game.

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