Packers injury report vs. Vikings

The Packers are as banged-up as ever. Seven players are out, one is doubtful and another is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Four of the players that have been ruled out are defensive starters. Green Bay’s two biggest playmakers, LB Clay Matthews and DB Charles Woodson, will again be sidelined for an important divisional game. Matthews, who hurt his hamstring in the Week 9 win over the Cardinals, is close but not enough to play. 

“Clay Matthews just went through the rehab part (on Friday), he will not be available Sunday,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s making progress, he’s just not ready to play in a game.”

McCarthy wouldn’t speculate on whether Matthews will be ready next week. Undrafted rookie OLB Dezman Moses has started in place of Matthews the past two games, totaling two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

Woodson has been out with a broken collarbone since Oct. 21. He’s said since then that he hoped to come back sooner than the six weeks originally projected, but Sunday’s game would be exactly six weeks.

Woodson, who plays safety in the Packers’ 3-4 zone defense and slot corner in their oft-used nickel package, is replaced by M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian at safety and rookie CB Casey Hayward in the slot.

Also out against the Vikings is speedy CB Sam Shields, who won the No. 2 cornerback job in training camp and played well on the outside through the first month of the season. He hurt his shin/ankle in the Week 6 win at Houston, but it wasn’t believed to be too serious. After a recent setback, though, there is no timeline for Shields’ return. Second-year CB Davon House and Hayward, who has five interceptions, have been filling in well for Shields.

DE C.J. Wilson hurt his knee in last week’s loss to the Giants and won’t play Sunday. That’s a big loss because Wilson is one of the best run defenders on the team and the Packers need all the help they can get against Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher. Wilson will be replaced by a youthful rotation of Mike Neal, Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels, who are known more as pass rushers.

RB Johnny White, a special teams contributor, will be sidelined because of a concussion sustained last week. TE Andrew Quarless (knee) and S Sean Richardson (back) also won’t play because both went on injured reserve on Saturday.

LB Terrell Manning (shoulder), an improving special teams player, was limited all week in practice and is listed as doubtful. WR Donald Driver (thumb) is questionable and may not play. The 37-year-old veteran didn’t practice this week, and McCarthy said his thumb injury has gotten worse.

“Donald was unable to practice all week, he needs rest,” McCarthy said. “That’s what the medical staff suggested. So that’s what we did, rested him all week.”

Driver has been virtually unused this year in his 14th season, splitting time with undrafted rookie WR Jarrett Boykin. With WR Greg Jennings, who had abdominal surgery on Nov. 1, set to play in his first game since Week 4, the Packers could afford to sit Driver against the Vikings.

Jennings participated fully in every practice this week and insists he’s pain-free and feeling great. He told reporters this week that he doesn’t want to be eased back in, he wants the team to just let him go.

“I think Greg looks good," McCarthy said. "He’s going through some of the bumps that you have when you come back for the first week of practice, but he’s got a spring in his step, he’s ready to go.

“I think the flow of the game will dictate (his playing time) and really based on how the game’s called.”

McCarthy wouldn’t say whether he was going to put Jennings on a snap count against Minnesota.