Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass during the first quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday
Image credit: Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers enter Sunday's season opener in Minnesota without two of their biggest stars. Running back Josh Jacobs is on the Commissioner's Exempt List, while edge rusher Micah Parsons remains on the reserve/physically unable to perform list during his recovery from a torn ACL.
Neither received a standard game designation, but both are unavailable. Jacobs cannot practice or play while exempt, and no return date is set. Fantasy managers must keep him out of Week 1 lineups.
The Packers officially listed left guard Aaron Banks, right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper as questionable. Defensive tackle Warren Brinson is out with a calf injury after missing all three practices.
Banks and Bako-Bewele were limited throughout the week by knee injuries. Banks has knee tendinitis, while Bako-Bewele is returning from patellar tendon surgery.
Some good news on the Packers OL: Jordan Morgan upgraded to a full participant and Aaron Banks said he’d gotten through his limited work without any setback as the last two days.
The full injury report: pic.twitter.com/N0w1Q3s1QY
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 10, 2026
Jordan Love carries matchup risk
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Quarterback Jordan Love is healthy and absent from the injury report. Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft also avoided final designations.
However, Love is better treated as a borderline QB1 or strong QB2 than an automatic start because of the tough matchup ahead against a Brian Flores-led Minnesota Vikings defense.
Watson carries the strongest receiver ranking as a WR2, while Reed is a WR3/4 and Golden is a WR4. Green Bay's crowded target distribution limits certainty. Kraft is the safest positional start because he is ranked as a TE1 and should remain involved near the goal line.
MarShawn Lloyd replaces Josh Jacobs
Jacobs' absence creates Green Bay's most important fantasy development. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to lead a backfield that also includes Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson. Lloyd has flashed explosiveness but played only one game in his first two seasons.
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The projected volume makes Lloyd a viable RB2 or flex play, not a guaranteed replacement for Jacobs' usual production. ESPN projects approximately 15 touches, while FantasyPros ranks him in RB2 territory. Start him when alternatives lack comparable volume, but expect workload uncertainty.
The offensive-line questions add risk. If Banks or Bako-Bewele cannot play, Donovan Jennings, Jager Burton or Anthony Belton could be asked to step into the lineup. That would weaken continuity for an offense already missing Jacobs.
Lloyd should still receive the first opportunity to control the backfield, but Brooks could handle passing-down or short-yardage work. Johnson is only a speculative bench stash until Green Bay reveals its rotation.
Micah Parsons affects Packers D/ST
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) walks off the field with help from medical personnel following an injury during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) walks off the field with help from medical personnel following an injury during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Parsons will miss at least four games after Green Bay placed him on reserve/PUP. General manager Brian Gutekunst has indicated the star pass rusher could return when first eligible, although Parsons has identified Week 6 as a realistic target.
His absence lowers the Packers D/ST ceiling. Green Bay loses its premier pressure creator, while Brinson and Hopper further thin its depth. Javon Hargrave, Devonte Wyatt and Barryn Sorrell are cleared, which prevents the front from being completely depleted.
Fantasy managers should therefore avoid treating Green Bay's defense as an elite Week 1 play. The combined losses reduce sack and turnover upside.
Jacobs belongs on fantasy benches or injured-reserve slots where eligible. Lloyd is an RB2/flex, Love is a matchup-dependent quarterback, Kraft is a TE1, and Green Bay's receivers carry varying levels of volatility. The final inactive list will determine whether the offensive line creates one more concern.