Packers-Bucs Final Injury Report: AJ Dillon Practices, Two Starters Do Not

Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon returned to practice on Friday as he and the team try to figure out if he can play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a broken right thumb.

Can Dillon play while limiting the risk of making the injury even worse? Can Dillon play while limiting the risk of a critical fumble?

Ball security “absolutely” is paramount in the decision, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. Dillon hasn’t fumbled all season and hasn’t lost a fumble since 2021.

“I think that’s one thing he’s got to take into account, we’ve all got to take into account is that right there,” he said.

Dillon, whose only missed games were due to COVID in 2020, didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s possible he went on the field on Friday to see if whatever protective device the medical staff has come up with can limit the risk while having Dillon playing at something approximating peak efficiency.

“I think that’s one thing the trainers and him are trying to figure out every day,” Stenavich said. “So, we’ll see how it goes and if he can go. He’s one of those guys that, if he can play, he’s going to go play. So, we’re just kind of taking it day-by-day right now and seeing where he’s at.

Dillon was injured during the final series against the Giants. The thumb was broken on the play before he ran for a key third-down conversion.

“The first thing is always just making sure I’m putting myself in the best position I can as far as if there’s something hurt not making it a bigger issue than it is down the road,” Dillon said. “And then the next question is will I be able to go out there and positively impact the team with me being out there.”

Only two players did not practice: receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) and safety Darnell Savage (shoulder).

Watson suffered a hamstring injury during the final moments of the win vs. Kansas City and was inactive last week. He was happy with his recovery, with a consistently upward trajectory.

“You never really know where you’re at with stuff like this,” Watson said. “One day you’ll feel really good and then the next day you won’t feel so good. I’ve had quite a few days now where it’s felt really good, so I definitely feel like I’m in the right place.”

Savage played 53 of 56 snaps against the Giants. On his final play, he missed a tackle on Saquon Barkley’s long run that ended with a fumble and recovery that set up the Packers for the go-ahead score.

If he can’t play, Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford presumably would get the start. Ford started the first seven games and Owens started the last seven games.

Linebacker Quay Walker (shoulder), who was inactive last week after leading the team in tackles against the Chiefs, practiced for a second consecutive day.

Left guard Elgton Jenkins (shoulder), who did not practice on Thursday, returned to practice on Friday.

Running back Aaron Jones (knee) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) practiced all three days this week. Jones, at least, seems ready to return to the lineup.

This story will be updated after practice, when coach Matt LaFleur reveals the final injury report.