Linebacker Oren Burks is listed as DNP with a chest injury. This should come as a surprise to no one. He was able to avoid needing surgery, but he will miss the first few games of the season. The Packers traded for BJ Goodson earlier in the week to help fill the void and add some depth to the ILB position.
Rookie tight end Jace Sternberger was also a did not practice, but was placed on IR Tuesday evening with an ankle injury. He will be eligible to return in week eight if he is ready.
One of the feel good stories of the off-season, rookie WR Darrius Shepherd may have to wait to make his NFL debut. Shepherd was invited to tryout for a spot on the training camp roster. Not only did he make that, he impressed the Packers coaches enough to make the 53-man roster. He has been unable to practice this week because of a hamstring injury.
Rookie CB Ka’dar Hollman suffered a stinger during training camp and hasn’t been able to practice because of it. Being a rookie and not practicing for a while, it’s unlikely we see Hollman on Thursday in any capacity.
It wouldn’t be in injury report if Kevin King weren’t mentioned. King was shockingly unavailable for most of the preseason. He has been limited in practice all week, but he says he is going to play Thursday. I’m not very optimistic, but lets hope this is the year that Kevin King can finally stay on the field.
The rest of the players listed were full participants and barring some sort of setback should be good to go on Thursday. The Bears have whopping two players listed on their injury report. So like last year, the injury bug hasn’t bitten them.