The Green Bay Packers will play in Detroit on Sunday without linebacker Zaire Franklin, who was ruled out after a practice-field collision on Thursday, and four more players go into the NFC North game as questionable: guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, receiver Bo Melton and defensive tackle Jordon Riley.
Franklin took a knee to the shin on Thursday, was limited that day and sat out Friday. Head coach Matt LaFleur played it down, saying he did not think it would be “anything too long term,” and the club does not expect to put him on injured reserve. Missing this game will be only the second time in nine seasons that Franklin has sat out. Ty’Ron Hopper is in line for his third career start, with Isaiah McDuffie and Nick Niemann also in the mix.
Zaire Franklin ruled OUT for Sunday's matchup in Detroit.
Friday's full injury report ⤵️
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 23, 2026
The full practice picture
- Out: LB Zaire Franklin (shin), limited Thursday and did not practice Friday.
- Questionable: G Aaron Banks (knee, toe), limited all three days; CB Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring), limited all three days; DT Jordon Riley (Achilles), limited all three days; WR Bo Melton (back), no practice Wednesday or Thursday, limited Friday.
- No designation: QB Jordan Love (back), limited Wednesday and full on Thursday and Friday; EDGE Lukas Van Ness (illness), limited Thursday and full Friday; WRs Christian Watson (ankle), Matthew Golden (shoulder) and Savion Williams (ankle), DT Anthony Campbell (ankle) and CB Brandon Cisse (shoulder, neck), all limited for three days.
Why Banks and Riley matter
Banks has not played since hurting his toe in Week 2. Laken Tomlinson has started the last three games at left guard, and whoever lines up there faces a Detroit front that leads the league with 20 sacks. Riley is the bigger story on the other side of the ball. He tore his Achilles tendon last December, practiced on a limited basis for two weeks and was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. LaFleur called him a “big stout physical D-lineman” and said that is exactly what the Packers need in a run defense that has been reshuffled around injuries.
Saturday also brought back running back Josh Jacobs, activated from the commissioner’s exempt list after missing all six games. Green Bay signed receiver Coleman Owen from the practice squad and elevated edge rusher Arron Mosby. Micah Parsons, still working back from his knee injury, is not part of this week’s report.
Detroit’s report
The Lions came out of their bye in good health. Safety Brian Branch, back from a torn Achilles, and center Cade Mays (wrist) took full part in all three practices and were activated on Saturday, which cleared both to play. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (hamstring) was limited twice before finishing with a full Friday and carries no designation.
What comes next
The 4-2 Packers visit the 3-2 Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, October 25, at 4:25 p.m. EDT (Game Center). Green Bay has a short turnaround after that, hosting the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, October 29, at 8:15 p.m. EDT. All of the week’s game statuses are on our NFL injury report.
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