Green Bay Packers injury updates: Nixon, Watson both suit up against Minnesota and make a splash

These are the players currently sidelined for the Green Bay Packers. We'll keep this page updated throughout the season.

Question marks after Week 18

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

RAMIZ AHMED, K

Perhaps one of the more unusual storylines from Green Bay's win over Minnesota was the elevation of kicker Ramiz Ahmed from the practice squad, only to see him suffer a groin injury in warmups and not see the field.

DAVID BAKHTIARI, OL

After missing three games following an emergency appendectomy, Bakhtiari was back at left tackle for the Packers in a crucial win over the Vikings.

KEISEAN NIXON, CB

The revelation on special teams brought a kick back 93 yards against Miami, just short of a touchdown, but then he left the game with a groin injury. He didn't practice during the week and remained a question mark for the Vikings game, given a "questionable" injury designation, but then he played after all against Minnesota and returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown to spark the Packers and continue his sensational second half.

CHRISTIAN WATSON, WR

Speaking of revelations and season bright spots, none have been brighter than the dynamic rookie receiver, who left the Dolphins game with a hip injury and was listed as questionable against Minnesota before suiting up.

Injured reserve

Roster status: Does not count against the 53.

How it works: A team may remove any player with an injury that will require him to miss a significant amount of time or the entire year from the 53-man roster and place him on the list. During this time, the player may attend meetings but is not allowed to practice or dress for a game. The club may designate a player for return to the 53-man roster up to eight times during the season — no more than twice for any one player — but the player must spend a minimum of four weeks on the list. 

CURRENT LIST

Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry (94) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the fourth quarter of their game Saturday, December 25, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

DEAN LOWRY, DL

The steady presence on the defensive line left the Week 16 game in Miami with a calf injury, opening the door for reps to first-round draft pick Devonte Wyatt. Lowry was placed on injured reserve, ending his regular season. In November, the Packers restructured Lowry's contract. He'd theoretically be available to return the weekend of the NFC Championship should the Packers advance that far.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is carted off the field during the first half against Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Nov. 6, 2022.

ERIC STOKES, CB

Stokes, a second year player who had started all nine games prior to suffering an ankle injury in Detroit, is likely to miss the rest of the year. Coupled with Rashan Gary, he's one of two first-round draft picks by the Packers lost for the year in the same game. He's officially eligible to return.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) is carted off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

RASHAN GARY, LB

Gary tore his ACL in Week 9 against Detroit and was lost for the season. The pass rusher was one of Green Bay's bona fide stars, a former first-round pick who's continually gotten better over his four years in the NFL and had six sacks this season. It's the most devastating injury loss of the season thus far.

Jake Hanson is shown during the Green Bay Packers organized team activities (OTA) Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Green Bay, Wis.

JAKE HANSON, OL

Hanson briefly subbed in for Royce Newman at guard during the Week 6 loss to the Jets, then left the game with a biceps injury and now finds himself on IR. He's eligible to return.

Players previously designated on IR: Krys Barnes, linebacker; Sammy Watkins, wide receiver; Randall Cobb, wide receiver; Tipa Galeai, linebacker (released)

Physically unable to perform

Roster status: Does not count against the 53 after cutdowns.

In-season rules: If the player spends all of training camp on the list, the club has the option of keeping him there when the season starts without counting him against the 53-man limit. The player may not practice or play for at least the first four weeks of the season. Once a player is removed from the list, the team has up to three weeks to allow the player to practice without counting against the 53-man roster. At the end of the three-week window, the player must be activated to the 53, returned to PUP or released.

CURRENT LIST

None.

More:After winning the regular season and losing the playoffs the past two years, it's Super Bowl or bust for the Packers

More:Here are 5 things to watch as the Green Bay Packers face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday

Non-football injury

Roster status: Does not count against the 53 after cutdowns.

How it works: A team may place a player recovering from an injury suffered while training away from the team’s facility on the list at the start of training camp. Once a player practices, he is off the list for good.

In-season rules: Same as PUP.

CURRENT LIST

None

Suspended

Roster status: Does not count against the roster.

How it works: Any player suspended for violating the personal conduct policy, substance abuse policy, performance-enhancing drug policy or other any other violation commissioner Roger Goodell deems worth of a suspension. The player does not count against the 53-man roster and may not practice or play. 

CURRENT LIST 

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Sean Rhyan (75) during Green Bay Packers practice at the Grove Hotel, Watford, north of London on Friday, Oct. 07 2022 in London.

SEAN RHYAN, OL

After violating the league's substance abuse policy, Rhyan was suspended for six games to effectively end his season. The third-round pick has not seen the field this year and regularly found himself inactive on game day.