The Packers enter their Week 13 Thanksgiving matchup with the Lions facing another difficult set of injuries. The team confirmed several key inactives, and the timing adds pressure as both teams push for position in the division. Green Bay has dealt with shifting availability all season, and this week continues that trend.

Key Packers Inactives

Linebacker Quay Walker is out again while managing a neck and stinger issue that has bothered him for weeks. His absence changes how the defense communicates and reacts because he usually serves as the anchor in the middle of the field. Without him, the Packers need sharper coordination and quick support from depth players.

Wide receiver Matthew Golden is unavailable due to a wrist injury that has slowed him since early November. The offense has relied on young pass catchers all season, so losing Golden removes one more option at a time when flexibility matters. Cornerback Nate Hobbs is also out with a knee injury, which adds another challenge for a secondary about to face a Detroit offense that likes to test space and timing.

There is at least one bit of positive news. Cornerback Keisean Nixon is active after a period of limited participation. His return gives the secondary more stability. Nixon brings experience, steady tackling, and confidence, and those qualities arrive at the right time for a defense that needs reliability.

Full List for Green Bay

The Packers inactives include Walker, Golden, Hobbs, Donovan Jennings, Savion Williams, Lukas Van Ness, and Karl Brooks. This mix of defensive and offensive depth pieces forces the staff to adjust the rotation and trust younger players in key spots.

Lions Inactives

Detroit also enters the game short handed. Graham Glasgow, Kerby Joseph, and Brock Wright headline their inactive list. The Lions lose important contributors on both sides of the ball, which may limit parts of their usual approach.

What This Means for the Matchup

Here is the thing. With so many starters out on both rosters, the game becomes a test of preparation and adaptability. The absence of Walker and Golden removes leadership and playmaking for Green Bay, while the Lions face their own gaps. Fans should expect a tighter contest where momentum shifts quickly.

What to Watch

Depth players will see increased snaps, and the outcome may hinge on how well backups handle pressure. This is a moment where coaching choices, in game adjustments, and steady execution shape the result more than star power.