Buccaneers vs Packers Injury Report and COVID Updates for NFC Championship Game
- The Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers (13-3) are 3.5-point favorites against the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) in their NFC Championship game Sunday at 3:05 pm ET
- Buccaneers’ receiver Antonio Brown (knee) won’t play in the game
- See below for a full roundup of injuries, plus analysis of their impact
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received disappointing injury news Friday when it was determined that Antonio Brown (knee) won’t play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.
The Buccaneers, 3.5-point underdogs, are losing one of their dangerous offensive weapons.
Brown had scored touchdowns in four of his last five games, including a 36-yard TD pass from Tom Brady in the Bucs’ Wild Card victory against the Washington Football Team. With Brown out, Scotty Miller or Tyler Johnson will get expanded opportunities.
The Packers, 11-6 against the spread this season, are reasonably healthy.
Bucs Injury Report | Packers Injury Report
Buccaneers Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury or Illness | Friday Practice | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio Brown | WR | Knee | DNP | Out |
| Mike Evans | WR | Knee | Limited Practice | – |
| Chris Godwin | WR | Quadricep | Limited Practice | – |
| Ronald Jones | RB | Finger/Quadricep | Full Practice | – |
| Sean Murphy-Bunting | CB | Quadricep/ankle | Full Practice | – |
| Jordan Whitehead | S | Knee | Limited Practice | – |
| Antoine Winfield | S | Ankle | DNP | Questionable |
| Jason Pierre-Paul | LB | Knee | DNP | – |
| Ali Marpet | G | Pectoral | Full Practice | – |
| Jeremiah Ledbetter | DL | Calf | Full Practice | – |
| Ndamukong Suh | DT | No injury | DNP | – |
All information taken from the Official NFL Injury Reports.
Key Defensive Lineman Cleared to Play
When it comes to Tampa Bay’s injury list, who is playing is as important as who won’t be in the lineup against the Packers.
The Buccaneers confirmed Friday, as expected, that defensive tackle Vita Vea, ranked by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s No. 2 interior defender, is coming off injured reserve and suiting up for the NFC Championship Game. He hasn’t played since fracturing his ankle on October 8.
The Buccaneers will officially be activating DI Vita Vea and he is now eligible to play on Sunday vs Green Bay, per @PSchrags
Vea's 90.1 PFF Grade was tied for the 2nd highest-graded among DI at the time of his injury pic.twitter.com/azIhNY8zwA
— PFF (@PFF) January 22, 2021
Vea will have an impact on the Packers’ ground game. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, without Vea, the Buccaneers gave up an average of 3.9 yards per carry. When he was in the lineup, Tampa Bay’s defense gave up 2.7 yards per carry.
Safety Antoine Winfield’s “questionable” status is the Buccaneers’ only other significant concern.
Packers Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury or Illness | Friday Practice | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krys Barnes | LB | Thumb | Limited Practice | – |
| Mason Crosby | K | Shoulder | Limited Practice | – |
| AJ Dillon | RB | Quadricep | Limited Practice | – |
| Kingsley Keke | DL | Concussion | DNP | Out |
| Kevin King | CB | Back | DNP | Questionable |
| Allen Lazard | WR | Wrist/Back | Limited Practice | – |
| Mercedes Lewis | TE | Knee | Full Practice | – |
| Will Redmond | S | Knee | Limited Practice | – |
| Za’Darius Smith | LB | Thumb | Limited Practice | – |
| Equanimeous St. Brown | WR | Knee/Ankle | Limited Practice | – |
| Rick Wagner | T | Knee | Limited Practice | Questionable |
| Jamaal Williams | RB | Ankle | Limited Practice | – |
All information taken from the Official NFL Injury Reports
Packers Lose a Defensive Lineman
The Packers said Kingsley Keke (concussion) is the only injured player who is definitely out of Sunday’s NFC Championship. However, cornerback Kevin King (back) is questionable.
They might know Saturday whether he will be able to play. Keke practiced briefly on Wednesday, but not on Friday. Injured kicker Mason Crosby and injured running back AJ Dillon will play. That is probably the best news for the Packers.
AJ Dillon – Back at Practice💥
The Packers Triple-Headed Trident will be at full strength for the NFC Championship 🔱 #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/zZaNzGxS2l
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) January 21, 2021
Injury News Shouldn’t Move Spread
Even before the Jones injury news broke, the Packers had moved from a 3-point to 3.5-point favorite. Tampa Bay’s disappointing injury news is offset by the good news of Vea’s return. Plus, the Buccaneers have Mike Evans (70 catches, 1,006 yards) and Chris Godwin (65, 840) ahead of Jones on the wideout depth chart. Tight end Rob Gronkowski also had 45 catches for 623 yards. The news of Winfield’s questionable status is alarming for the Buccaneers.
Kevin Allen has covered most major events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final. He covered the NHL for USA Today from 1986-2020, receiving the Lester Patrick Award in 2013 and was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 with the Elmer Ferguson Award.
