GREEN BAY – The Packers sustained a number of injuries in Sunday's loss at Detroit, and Head Coach Matt LaFleur delivered an update on several players Monday.
LB Rashan Gary: The Packers' team leader in sacks left the Lions game in the second half with a knee injury. Media reports have indicated Gary is out for the season with a torn ACL.
LaFleur didn't get into any specifics regarding Gary, but his comments did not suggest he would be back this year.
"It's a tremendous loss … He is one of the grittiest guys that's on this team, and just the effort that he brings on a daily basis is definitely going to be missed," LaFleur said. "The other guys around on that defense and on our team are going to have to pick it up because it's hard to replace a guy like that. This guy just battles. He's an ultimate competitor."
WR Christian Watson: After sustaining a concussion last week in Buffalo but advancing through the protocol last week, the rookie receiver took another jarring hit in the second quarter in Detroit, was removed for evaluation and didn't return to the game.
It turns out he did not have a concussion, however, and the hit was to his chest, knocking the wind out of him briefly.
"That was all precautionary and I think that's just kind of the times that we live in right now," LaFleur said of holding Watson out. "But it was 100% ruled that it was not a concussion. Matter of fact he was dying to go back in the game, and we thought it was best to shut him down because of what transpired in Buffalo. But to his credit, he was adamant and he cleared everything."
RB Aaron Jones: The offense's top weapon missed the latter portion of the game with an ankle injury but appears to have avoided anything significant. LaFleur gave him a chance to play this week vs. Dallas.
"I think there's potential for that," he said. "He is another guy that just battles, and you see it every day in practice. He's been pretty banged up, but he was trying to get back out there, too. Just want to be safe with him."
CB Eric Stokes: The second-year cornerback left the game in the first half with knee and ankle injuries. His status remains uncertain as further tests are being done, and there's a high level of concern.
LaFleur did not rule out Stokes' injuries being season-ending, but he's hopeful that's not the case.
Two other players who left the game and didn't return were rookie receiver Romeo Doubs (ankle) and inside linebacker Krys Barnes (concussion evaluation). No update was provided on either player.
Outside media reports indicate Doubs' injury could keep him out multiple weeks.
