The Green Bay Packers are not the only ones ailing ahead of Thursday’s epic prime-time showdown. Arizona Cardinals star J.J. Watt has already been ruled out of the game with a shoulder injury.
Watt, 32, suffered said injury in last week’s blowout win over his former Houston Texans team. With the undefeated Cardinals set to play on a short week, it’s already been confirmed he’ll sit out.
Once one of the elite defenders in the game, Watt has struggled to make much of an impact in his first season in the desert. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has recorded all of 10 quarterback hits and one sack in seven games this season.
Obviously, his absence will be a major blow for Arizona going up against a Packers squad that has won six consecutive games. Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers continues to play at an elite clip. He’s thrown for 1,710 yards with 15 touchdowns and a mere three interceptions in seven games this season. Rodgers has led Green Bay to six consecutive victories following a season-opening blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints.
In addition to J.J. Watt missing this game, Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard has already been ruled out with COVID-19. Fellow receiver Davante Adams is also likely to miss the game after Green Bay placed him on the reserve/COVID list.