Packers' 46-Man Roster Prediction vs. Lions

Find out who's predicted to be active on the Packers' gameday roster for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Here's our best guess at predicting the Green Bay Packers' gameday roster for the Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Reminder, only 46 players can be active...

The entire roster is included. Those bold and italicized are predicted to be inactive...

Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Graham Harrell

Running backs: John Kuhn, James Starks, Alex Green, Ryan GrantDuJuan Harris

Wide receivers: Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jarrett Boykin, Jeremy Ross

Tight ends: Jermichael Finley, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor

Offensive line: Marshall Newhouse, T.J. Lang, Jeff Saturday, Josh Sitton, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Don Barclay, Greg Van Roten

Defensive line: B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson, Jerel Worthy, Mike Daniels, Mike Neal

Outside linebackers: Clay Matthews, Erik Walden, Dezman Moses, Frank Zombo, Vic So'oto

Inside linebackers: A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones, Rob Francois, Jamari Lattimore, Terrell Manning

Cornerbacks: Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush, Davon House, Casey Hayward

Safeties: Charles Woodson, Morgan Burnett, Jerron McMillian, M.D. Jennings

Specialists: Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode

Commentary:

  • Five players have already been ruled out for Sunday's game: Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, Jordy Nelson, James Starks and C.J. Wilson.
  • Mike Neal is listed as doubtful. He didn't practice all week, and it's highly unlikely he'll be active. With both Neal and Wilson out, the Packers are down to four healthy linemen. If there's any game they can get away with such a small number, it's against the Lions when they typically run nickel and dime defense the entire game.
  • T.J. Lang is questionable for Saturday's game. Basically you'll know if he'll be active or not based upon whether the Packers make any transactions. If Lang can't go, the Packers will be dangerously thin on the offensive line.  They'd be down to six healthy linemen and would have to make a move, likely to activate Andrew Datko from the practice squad.
  • If Datko is signed, the Packers would have to cut someone, probably either Jeremy Ross or Vic So'oto. Or if they were to place someone on injured reserve, it could be Mike Neal or James Starks.
  • If Lang is inactive, then Terrell Manning will be active. And vice versa if the roster doesn't change. Manning is questionable, but would be necessarily be active because the Packers would be exactly at 46 players.
  • Running backs Ryan Grant and DuJuan Harris will likely be playing for the first time this season in a Packers uniform.
  • Sam Shields will active for the first time since Week 6.
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Comments (8)

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Mike's picture

December 08, 2012 at 05:36 pm

I know we could get away with 4 DL for this game. However, going forward, if Wilson doesn't show improvement, I don't think TT would hesitate to bring Muir back into the fold.

Also, I'm pretty surprised we even got to see 7 WRs on the active roster - I sort of expected that Datko would be the call up instead of Ross...

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redlights's picture

December 08, 2012 at 11:07 pm

Was Ross brought to the active roster to ward off being claimed by a different team?

For the life of me, I don't understand why we don't have 6 or 7 DLine and cut back on the LB's and DB's. Two things that can't be taught: speed and size; I get that TE's and LB's excel on special teams, but 6 healthy OLine and 4 DLine is too thin in my mind. Cover the bases, then get fancy with the roster.

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Rocky70's picture

December 09, 2012 at 01:55 pm

You're as correct as one could possibly be.

7 WRs, 4 TEs, 5 RBs (includes Kuhn) 10 LBs & 9 DBs. Unfortunately, fans will only know the reason behind the 'peculiarities' if someone talks or writes a book.

Season 2012 may end up be logged in Packer history as another 'lost opportunity'. The "makes no sense 53" may be the dagger to season 2012.

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Rocky70's picture

December 09, 2012 at 02:07 pm

2012 seems to be the year of "to hell with the trenches".

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Turophile's picture

December 09, 2012 at 06:01 am

The only reason we could want a 7th receiver (besides to stop someone else claiming him), is for his return ability. He can return kicks/punts if the game is rolling the Packers way. Silly to risk Cobb, who has become so valuable in our offense, unless you absolutely have to.

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denniseckersley's picture

December 09, 2012 at 10:48 am

So....basically there are no coach's decision inactives? Everyone inactive is hurt. That makes someone's job easy

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Mike's picture

December 09, 2012 at 04:55 pm

In that sense, it certainly does...

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Glorious80s's picture

December 09, 2012 at 01:37 pm

Agree, they need to get Datko to cover injuries and to see what they have going into next season. If the two backups and Datko (a projected higher round draft choice before injury) provide an answer, GB won't have to spend another draft choice on the line (other than perhaps Center). Nothing to lose by inserting these players for a few plays if the starters are not getting the job done.
Naturally, a lot will depend on the playoff situation.

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