Green Bay Packers announce two significant roster moves due to COVID-19

The Green Bay Packers have masterfully shuffled their roster on a weekly basis, seemingly battling a bevy of injury and COVID-19 issues ahead of each new matchup.

On Thursday ahead of Suday’s pivotal matchup vs. a Baltimore Ravens team with their own issues, the Pack announced two significant roster moves related to COVID-19.

The Green Bay Packers have activated QB Jordan Love from the reserve/COVID-19 list and placed DL Kenny Clark on the reserve/COVID-19 list. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Thursday.

Per agreed-upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list is for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been in close contact with an infected person or persons.

The Green Bay Packers have released their Wednesday injury report ahead of this week’s showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. As a race for the playoffs heats up, the Packers find themselves in the driver’s seat of the NFC with a 10-3 record. And every game counts more than the last, as the Packers are currently in a three-way tie atop the NFC with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Arizona Cardinals.

On Wednesday, there were a total of nine players listed on the team’s injury report, which also included or non-participants in Wednesday’s practice. It should also be noted that Wednesday was not a full practice and was just a walkthrough for the Green Bay Packers.

Here is the official list from the team’s mid-week report:

Limited practice:

LT David Bakhtiari (knee)
RB Aaron Jones (knee)
WR Malik Taylor (abdomen)
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back)

Full practice:

P Corey Bojorquez (left knee)

Did not participate:

QB Aaron Rodgers (toe)
TE Dominique Dafney (ankle)
RT Billy Turner (knee)
WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion)

Removed from the report:

WR Davante Adams
CB Kevin King
LB De’Vondre Campbell

Not listed:

CB Jaire Alexander

The Packers All-Pro cornerback remains off the active roster and on injured reserve. But that has not stopped him from practicing with the team as he prepares to make his way back to the field.

Green Bay Packers get good news regarding David Bakhtiari injury

After tearing his ACL before the 2021 season began, Bakhtiari has made the long rehab effort to get back onto the field for Green Bay before the playoffs. Bakhtiari attempted to return to practices on Oct. 20, and appeared close to a return before going back to his fully unavailable status.

Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t sure before Wednesday’s practice if Bakhtiari would be present at all, as the practice was only a walkthrough. Even during his press conference appearance before practice began, LaFleur stated he didn’t expect to see him on the field for drills.

“Just taking it a day at a time and when they’re ready to go, they’ll be out there,” LaFleur stated. “So you know, hopefully, I think Jaire [Alexander] will be out there for some but those other guys will not.”

To the surprise of his coach and Green Bay Packers fans waiting for his return, Bakhtiari did make it for drills after all. The sight of him on the field is a good indication that he’s getting closer to his return.

Bakhtiari was officially listed on the Packers practice injury report as a limited participant. Although the practice was a walkthrough only with limited activity, simply having him on the field was a boost to the team.