GREEN BAY – The Packers have ruled out tight end Jace Sternberger (concussion) and listed receiver Malik Taylor (hamstring) as questionable for Saturday night's game against the Carolina Panthers.
Guard Simon Stepaniak, who was activated off injured reserve a week ago, practiced in full Friday but won't play against Carolina as he works his way back from the knee injury that forced him to start his rookie season on the non-football injury list.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after practice on Thursday that Sternberger is still in the concussion protocol. This'll be the second game in a row he has missed since exiting the Packers' Week 13 game against Philadelphia. Taylor dropped out of practice last Thursday and missed this past Sunday's 31-24 win over Detroit. He was limited on Thursday.
"Anytime you're dealing with soft tissue, it's always concerning, but he's working through it," LaFleur said. "I thought he had a good day of practice. We'll just see how he feels (Friday) and then make a determination."
The Packers removed 13 players from the injury report who are expected to be available: cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee/hand), Kevin King (Achilles/groin) and Chandon Sullivan (hip), receiver Allen Lazard (core) and Equanimeous St. Brown (knee) tight end Marcedes Lewis (knee), linebackers Za'Darius Smith (ankle/thumb), Rashan Gary (hip) and Randy Ramsey (neck), guard Lucas Patrick (toe), safety Darnell Savage (groin), punter JK Scott (right quadricep), and tackle Rick Wagner (knee).
Carolina listed All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) and guard Dennis Daley (concussion) as doubtful.
Five others are questionable: safety Tre Boston (hamstring), defensive end Austin Larkin (shoulder), tackle Russell Okung (calf), defensive end Efe Obada (knee) and receiver Curtis Samuel (hamstring). Samuel was added to the injury report after being listed as limited in Thursday's practice.
The Panthers also removed seven players from the injury report who are expected to be available: defensive tackle Derrick Brown (ankle), defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (ankle), defensive end Marquis Haynes (shoulder), cornerback Troy Pride Jr. (ankle), tight end Ian Thomas (abdomen), safety Kenny Robinson (illness) and receiver DJ Moore (not injury related).
Green Bay Packers
| Player, Pos. | INJURY | TUES | WED | THUR | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaire Alexander, CB | Knee/Hand | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Rashan Gary, LB | Hip | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Kevin King, CB | Achilles/Groin | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Allen Lazard, WR | Core | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Marcedes Lewis, TE | Knee | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Lucas Patrick, G | Toe | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Randy Ramsey, LB | Neck | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Darnell Savage, S | Groin | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| JK Scott, P | Right Quadricep | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Za'Darius Smith, LB | Ankle/Thumb | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Equanimeous St. Brown, WR | Knee | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Simon Stepaniak, G | Knee | FP | FP | FP | Out |
| Jace Sternberger, TE | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Chandon Sullivan, CB | Hip | LP | LP | LP | -- |
| Malik Taylor, WR | Hamstring | DNP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Rick Wagner, T | Knee | LP | LP | LP | -- |
* The Packers held a walk-thru on Wednesday and did not have practice on Tuesday; participation reports are an estimation.
Carolina Panthers
| Player, Pos. | INJURY | TUES | WED | THUR | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tre Boston, S | Hamstring | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Derrick Brown, DT | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Dennis Daley, G | Concussion | LP | LP | LP | Doubtful |
| Yetur Gross-Matos, DE | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Marquis Haynes, DE | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Austin Larkin, DE | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Greg Little, T | Ankle | -- | LP | -- | -- |
| Christian McCaffrey, RB | Thigh | LP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
| DJ Moore, WR | Not injury-related | -- | LP | LP | -- |
| Efe Obada, DE | Knee | FP | FP | FP | Questionable |
| Russell Okung, T | Calf | LP | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
| Troy Pride Jr., CB | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | -- |
| Kenny Robinson, S | Illness | -- | DNP | FP | -- |
| Curtis Samuel, WR | Hamstring | -- | -- | LP | Questionable |
| Ian Thomas, TE | Abdomen | FP | FP | FP | -- |
* The Panthers did not have practice on Tuesday; participation reports are an estimation.
