Seahawks vs. Packers Week 15 Injury Report: Latest on Jaire Alexander, Luke Musgrave, Kenneth Walker III, and more for SNF
The Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks will clash on Sunday Night Football with momentum in the playoff race at stake.
For Jordan Love and company, it is all about maintaining the momentum that they created last season, when they became the youngest roster on average to make the playoffs. They upset the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card before putting up a good fight in a loss at the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
Geno Smith and the Seahawks are leading the NFC West, but only barely; and a win will put them above the .500 threshold.
Both teams' rosters are coming off injuries to key players, so here is an update.
Seahawks injury report
Five players on the Seattle roster are not playing:
- TE Brady Russell (foot)
- OT Stone Forsythe (hand)
- CB Tre Bown (hamstring)
- S Jerrick Reed (quad)
- S K'Von Wallace (ankle)
Interestingly, Wallace was cleared to return to practice this week and even participated fully in all three days before being returned to the injury report.
Two more players are doubtful:
- RB Kenneth Walker III (calf)
- CB Artie Burns (toe)
Kenneth Walker III's injury update
Walker missed the 30-18 win at the Arizona Cardinals with a calf injury, and it continues to bother him some five days later. The running back did not practice this week, leading Macdonald to say:
“Anything can happen between now and the game, but I’d say doubtful right now. I would like to see him at some point, but I wouldn’t say that would exclude him from playing.”
Should he not suit up, sophomore Zach Charbonnet, who is coming off his best game so far, could start again.
Packers injury report
The Packers, meanwhile, will be without following players:
- TE Luke Musgrave (ankle)
- CB Jaire Alexander (knee)
- S Javon Bullard (ankle)
Cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) is a game-time decision.
Wide receiver Romeo Doubs and safety Evan Williams rejoined practice on Thursday and Friday respectively after leaving concussion protocol. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper also fully returned to practice on Friday after a hamstring injury sidelined him for the last three games.
Luke Musgrave's injury update
Before the recent developments, Musgrave was absent from the 53-man roster, having been out since his last game in September. He was designated to return from IR on Wednesday and was a limited participant for three straight days.
Jaire Alexander's injury update
Alexander managed to fully complete Wednesday's and Thursday's practice sessions, but head coach Matt LaFleur was unimpressed by his showing, leading to the Pro Bowler's return to the sidelines.
As a result, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are expected to continue starting in his stead.