Quay

Walker

Hobbs has not played since Week 9’s loss to the Panthers, where he initially suffered the knee injury. Perhaps this will be his first game back. Quay Walker (neck) was cleared off the injury report, while Lukas Van Ness (foot) was ruled out after not practicing all week.

No surprise as he was not listed on the injury report through the pectoral listing in Week 11 as well. Green Bay is likely simply managing his reps. Lukas Van Ness (foot) is questionable to return after a full week of limited sessions. Van Ness hasn’t played since suffering the injury in Week 6. Meanwhile Quay Walker (neck) is doubtful with a stinger.

Walker suffered a stinger in Week 11 and is now listed with a neck injury. He does not practice to start the week, putting his Week 12 status in jeopardy. Also not practicing was CB Nate Hobbs (knee), who has missed each of the last two weeks. Both players will face an uphill battle to play against the Vikings this week, leaving the Packers defense thin.

Walker was a surprise DNP in the middle of the week because of the calf injury. He returned for a limited session on Friday before being listed as questionable. Brandon McManus was also questionable and is active. Inactive for the Packers are WR Dontayvion Wicks, K Lucas Havrisik, OG Jacob Monk, OT Donovan Jennings, DL Lukas Van Ness, and DL Warren Brinson.

The fourth-year linebacker underwent a cleanup procedure on his ankle in the offseason and was still working his way back as of a week ago. His short stay on the PUP list makes it clear he wasn’t dealing with anything that will affect him into the regular season. Christian Watson was placed on the PUP list at the same time and is still a ways away from returning. Entering a contract year, Walker is looking for a breakout campaign as he approaches free agency.

Watson promisingly posted a video of himself running routes on June 20th, though his current sidelining suggests he still has a ways to go in his recovery. The veteran wide receiver suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 last year. Historically, 10-12 months of rehab are required before players retake the field. The Packers also placed LB Quay Walker on the active/PUP list and OL Elgton Jenkins on the non-football injury list.

Gutekunst told Cheesehead TV that the Packers have had “really healthy conversations” with Tom “about locking him up and certainly that’s something we’d like to do.” Tom had an 87.8 PFF run block grade last year and has developed into an excellent right tackle, though he did notably struggle against the Eagles in the Wild Card round. Gutekunst also noted that they declined Walker’s fifth-year option only because outside linebackers are factored into the dollar amount.

Walker totaled 80 tackles, nine going for a loss or no gain, 14 quarterback pressures and three sacks last year; fine figures but hardly game-wrecking. He can be a bit of a liability in coverage as well, having allowed 41 receptions and 18 first downs in that role. He has, however, cut down on tackling mistakes over the last two seasons, bringing his career missed tackle average down to 8.4 percent after worryingly hitting double digits (10.1 percent) in his 2022 rookie season. Walker and the front office must now find common ground on a long-term deal that appropriately rewards his positives while accounting for his negatives as well.

Wyatt and Walker have not been dominant forces, so the beat writer scuttlebutt has been that both may not have their fifth-year options picked up only due to cost. An extension ahead of the deadline to exercise the fifth-year option in a few weeks is a possibility. Wyatt has been an adequate pass rusher through his first three seasons with Green Bay, but his run defense has been questionable — he had a 52.0 PFF run defense grade in 2024.

Walker will be a candidate to have his fifth-year option picked up this offseason, which Gutekunst commented on by saying that the number for linebackers is “a little wonky because there’s so many edge guys that are part of that, which drives up that number, which probably isn’t great.” It’s possible the Packers get Walker extended this offseason rather than trying to work off the fifth-year option number in 2026. Either way, Walker is tied to the Packers through at least the 2026 season as long as Green Bay extends him or picks up the fifth-year option.