Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon is inactive for Sunday’s showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the broken thumb he suffered during Monday night’s loss to the New York Giants.
Sunday will mark the first time Dillon — a second-round pick in 2020 — will miss a game due to injury. He had played in 52 straight games dating back to his rookie season.
Dillon was listed as questionable on the final injury report. He practiced Friday with padding on his thumb but the team determined he wasn’t able to play — either due to protection of the football or protection of the thumb — on Sunday.
The Packers did get good news at running back: Aaron Jones is back. He will return after missing three games with a knee injury.
However, the Packers will be without cornerback Jaire Alexander for the sixth consecutive game, and safety Darnell Savage is also out with a shoulder injury. The veteran safety didn’t practice all week. Receiver Christian Watson, who was doubtful to play, will miss a second straight game because of a hamstring injury.
Can the Packers overcome the absence of two starters in the secondary and the offense’s top big-play threat at receiver and No. 2 running back on Sunday?
Packers inactives
WR Christian Watson
CB Jaire Alexander
S Darnell Savage
RB AJ Dillon
LB Brenton Cox Jr.
T Caleb Jones
WR Samori Toure
Buccaneers inactives
CB Carlton Davis
DL Will Gholston
CB Josh Hayes
S Ryan Neal
T Brandon Walton
LB Devin White
QB John Wolford
