Green Bay Packers Add Defensive Back for Week 17 vs Vikings

The Green Bay Packers are 11-4 and have already clinched a spot in the NFL Playoffs. So too have the Minnesota Vikings, their Week 17 opponent, who are 13-2. While Green Bay cannot win the NFC North this season, they can improve their postseason seeding with wins over the Vikings and Chicago Bears, and if Minnesota goes on to lose to the Detroit Lions in Week 18.

For the Packers, though, these last two games are about getting right and staying fresh for the postseason. Regardless of what seed they end up with, they will likely be playing all of their playoff games on the road.

Unfortunately, the team is not as healthy as they would like to be as the 2024 NFL season winds down.

The Green Bay Packers Will Be Without Jaire Alexander vs the Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay Packers, Jaire Alexander, Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) can’t haul in a touchdown reception against Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

As is true for all NFL teams at this point in the season, injuries are starting to pile up for the Packers. Due to these, and with a postseason spot already in their grasp, Green Bay has ruled out several players for their Week 17 game against the Vikings.

The most notable of these is two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is still recovering from a torn PCL suffered in Week Eight. While he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, he was limited on Thursday and did not practice at all on Friday.

Safety Evan Williams, who suffered a quad injury in practice prior to Green Bay’s win over the New Orleans Saints, is also out. Linebacker Quay Walker, who has a sprained ankle, and backup offensive tackle Andre Dillard, who has a concussion, are also out.

Christian Watson, Javon Bullard, and Ty’Ron Hopper are listed as questionable.

The Green Bay Packers Elevated Safety Omar Brown from Their Practice Squad

Green Bay Packers, Omar Brown, Minnesota Vikings
Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Omar Brown (12) during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY SportsFor the second week in a row, the Packers have elevated safety Omar Brown from their practice squad. With Williams out and Bullard questionable, they need some depth at that particular position.
Last week, Brown made his NFL debut against the Saints and played 14 total snaps.

An undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, Brown was originally signed by the Denver Broncos after the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he did not make their 53-man roster and was cut in late August.

A few days later, Green Bay signed him to their practice squad.