The first injury report of the week is out, and there are two notable names on it. Both Alex Mack and Duke Riley were limited in practice on Wednesday.
Losing Alex Mack for the Packers game on Sunday would be a nightmare. Green Bay’s front seven harassed the Seahawks’ line all day in Week 1, and with Wes Schweitzer still adjusting to his new starting role, the Falcons need the stability Mack brings to the center.
Mack is listed with a back injury, which isn’t great. But he wasn’t held out of practice, and it’s only Wednesday, so that’s encouraging.
Riley has a knee injury, and he was also limited in practice. On defense, the Falcons do have plenty of depth. They could get by without Riley if they needed to, but it shouldn’t be an issue.
Brian Hill was still limited with the ankle injury he’s been rehabbing. Kemal Ishmael was limited with a hamstring injury, and so was Eric Saubert. Austin Pasztor is on the injury report with a chest injury, but he was able to practice fully on Wednesday.
The Packers aren’t in terrible shape with injuries. Defensive tackle Montravius Adams (foot) and tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring) were both limited on Wednesday. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks (concussion), tackle Brian Bulaga (ankle/illness) and tackle Jason Spriggs (hamstring) were all held out of Wednesday’s practice.
The one thing to keep an eye on is that Bulaga and Bakhtiari are the Packers’ starting tackles, and then Spriggs is the backup. That leaves them a little thin at the position if any of them aren’t able to go on Sunday. Atlanta’s pass rush could take advantage if that’s the case.
It’ll be time to worry about Mack and Riley if they’re both still limited on Friday, or if either of them gets downgraded and has to be held out of practice. That would likely mean a setback and would definitely jeopardize their status for Sunday.
Your thoughts on the current injury situation?