Watt joins long list of players out for Packers vs Cardinals game

The undefeated Arizona Cardinals will be without one of their top pass rushers ahead of their biggest test of the season Thursday night.

Watt out, Jones back for Cardinals D line

Defensive end J.J. Watt didn’t practice in the Cardinal’s lone training session of the week because of a shoulder injury he picked up last week against the the Houston Texans. On Wednesday, Watt was ruled out for the Arizona’s marquee matchup against the Green Bay Packers to kickoff Week 8.

Watt has registered 10 tackles, half of those for a loss of yardage, and a sack for the Cardinals this season. He is getting to opposing quarterbacks with ease, especially in the last few weeks. Of his 10 quarterback hits, nine have been in the last four weeks.

Although Arizona will be without Watt, Chandler Jones comes back after missing the last two games due to COVID-19. Jones was taken on the list Monday, but Deandre Hopkins is a question going into the opening game of the week.

The wide receiver is one of four Cardinals listed as questionable for the game against the Packers. A sore hamstring kept him out of practice on Tuesday, and Hopkins is likely to be a game time decision.

Packers dealing wtih COVID issues

The Packers have a handful of injury problems to deal with. Their wide receiving core has been decimated by COVID. Both Devante Adams and Allen Lazard were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 early this week. Marques Valdes-Scantling has been on the injured reserve for the last few weeks with ta hamstring injury.

This is still the highlight matchup of Week 8 of the NFL regular season, but it can’t be overlooked that both teams will be significantly hindered by the absence of some star players. If the Cardinals win, they will advance to 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.