Packers get mixed injury news ahead of Cardinals clash, Zach Tom trending toward return 3 Nov 24, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive linenam Zach Tom (50) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Packers’ unfavorable injury update puts 3 starters in doubt vs Bears

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Dec 19, 2025 6:03 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers could be missing three key starters Saturday night in Chicago. Tackle Zach Tom (back/knee), safety Evan Williams (knee), and running back Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) were DNPs in practice all week. All three carry questionable tags on the injury report, but ESPN’s Rob Demovsky does not expect Tom or Williams to play and Jacobs, he says, is closer to doubtful. None of that is shocking news for the Packers, but it’s also not helpful heading into what is, for yet another week, their biggest game thus far.

Another week, another parade of Packers injuries

Of the three, Jacobs seems to have the best chance to play, based on Demovsky’s comments via Chicago-based podcast “Carmen and Jurko” on Friday. He will be a gametime decision.

Jacobs has managed a knee issue since sustaining the injury Week 11 versus the Giants. It is just his latest of a litany of ailments the locker room leader and backfield bruiser has fought through this season.

Williams sprained his MCL on the same play Micah Parsons got hurt Sunday in Denver. Tom has been on and off the injury report all season, one factor undermining the Packers’ ability to solidify the offensive line.

As important as he is to Green Bay’s offense, Jacobs’ status may be the least important for this particular matchup. As the best run stuffer in the secondary, Williams will be missed against the Bears’ high-powered ground game. The offensive line is still in flux on a weekly basis; missing Tom for this one won’t help.

Behind Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson has proved to be a capable backup. In his sole start this season, Week 12 against the Vikings, he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Fans haven’t seen much of him since. Wilson has only nine carries for 27 yards over the past three games.

One under-the-radar way Jacobs’ absence could influence Green Bay’s attack is in his capacity as a reliable checkdown target. Jacobs is second on the team with 33 catches.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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