The Green Bay Packers start the 2024 season with bad news as Elgton Jenkins, Quay Walker, & Christian Watson are among 8 players placed on injury lists.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just as the buzz for training camp hits its peak, the Green Bay Packers were hit with a dose of unfortunate reality on Friday. The team announced that eight players, including cornerstone starters like guard Elgton Jenkins, linebacker Quay Walker, and receiver Christian Watson, will begin camp on injury lists. The news set off a chain reaction of roster moves, signaling that the path to Week 1 will be anything but smooth.
Eight players on the shelf before the first full-squad practice even begins is not the start anyone in Green Bay was hoping for.
The Packers officially placed five players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list: LB Quay Walker, WR Christian Watson, LB Collin Oliver, DB Micah Robinson, and G John Williams. Joining them on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list are G Elgton Jenkins, K Alex Hale, and RB Amar Johnson. While none of these designations are season-ending, and players can be activated at any time, starting camp without key contributors like Jenkins, Walker, and Watson is a significant hurdle. The team noted Watson is ahead of schedule in his ACL recovery, but his absence, combined with Walker's and Jenkins's, puts early pressure on the team's depth.
With Elgton Jenkins sidelined, the Packers' biggest question mark—the offensive line—just got more complicated. In a direct response to the need for depth, the team signed offensive tackle Anthony Belton. To clear a roster spot, Green Bay released defensive linemen Nesta Jade Silvera and Cameron Young. This shuffle underscores the front office's focus on protecting their franchise quarterback. The absence of a Pro Bowl guard like Jenkins creates a massive opportunity for newcomers and backups to prove they belong, making the O-line battles the must-see event of camp.
The injury bug didn't just impact the starters; it has shaken up the position battles. With free agent prize Josh Jacobs locked in as the lead back, the competition for the third running back spot was already intriguing. Now, with hopeful Amar Johnson starting on the NFI list, the door is wide open. Johnson's inability to practice early gives other young backs on the roster a critical head start to impress the coaching staff and stake their claim to a roster spot. This unexpected development turns the RB3 competition into one of the most compelling under-the-radar storylines of camp.
While the injury report is a sobering start, it also breeds opportunity. The next week is crucial. All eyes will be on the practice field on July 23rd to see who is participating, how the makeshift offensive line begins to gel, and which running back makes the first move in the battle for RB3. The journey to the regular season has begun, and it's already full of twists and turns.
