Injuries have always been an inevitable part of football. In the NFL, the attitude has always been “next man up” when any player is out of the lineup due to an injury. That cliché was particularly true for the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday at Lambeau Field. Several Packers reserves stepped up and made significant contributions that powered a dominant Week 12 win over the Vikings.

Next Man Up, How Packers Reserves Powered a Dominant Win: RB Emanuel Wilson

With Josh Jacobs out of the lineup with a bruised knee, Emanuel Wilson made his first carer NFL start. The former Fort Valley State star gained 107 yards in 28 carries. That made him the first Packers runner to top 100 yards in a game this season. The 28 carries were also a team high for any running back in one game in 2025.

The game was special for Wilson, a former undrafted free agent who was let go by the Broncos before catching on with the Packers before the 2023 season.

“It’s wonderful,” Wilson told reporters after the game. “Shoot, I’m a dog. They just let me unleashed today. I’m appreciative for the opportunity. Today was a special day for me.”

Wilson admitted he was nervous about his first start and the larger role he was expected to play in this game. “Once I started getting into the running game and got myself going, all the butterflies left,” Wilson explained. “On that goal line play, he just stops his feet. I hit him on contact, kept my feet moving, and that’s how he fell and I got into the end zone.”

Wilson’s teammates were excited for him. “I think mentally he was preparing all week to be the guy. Then to find out and come out here and have over 100 yards and break off some of he runs he did was pretty cool,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “So, great job by him, and stuff to just keep building on and keep being ready for whenever that opportunity is going to present itself for him, and to take advantage of the more carries that he got.”

LB Isaiah McDuffie

Linebacker Quay Walker was out of the lineup against Minnesota, so Isaiah McDuffie stepped in and assumed a larger role. He moved to “mike” linebacker to replace Walker. McDuffie even wore the green dot on his helmet and called the defensive signals against the Vikings.

In the first eight games of the season, McDuffie never played more than 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in any game. He averaged about 35 percent of the defensive plays. But in the last two contests since Walker was injured, he played 73.6 percent and 100 percent of the snaps.

In those two games, he combined for 20 total tackles, was credited a half sack in each game, and finally made his first career interception against Minnesota.

“It’s just preparation. It’s just practicing and studying and when it comes your time to do it, you have to be ready to execute,” McDuffie said. “I like playing it. It’s about when your opportunity comes, you have to do your best.”

Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was McDuffie’s head coach at Boston College. He trusts the veteran linebacker to be in the right place. McDuffie also provides leadership and a steady presence on defense. When Walker suffered an injury, McDuffie stepped up and did the job.

Next Man Up, How Packers Reserves Powered a Dominant Win: CB Kamal Hadden

The Packers entered the 2025 campaign thin at cornerback. They already had lost free agent acquisition Nate Hobbs to injuries earlier in the season. Then, against the Vikings, Keisean Nixon suffered a stinger when he collided with teammate Devonte Wyatt on the sideline near the end of the first quarter.

When Nixon left the game, the Packers inserted Kamal Hadden into the lineup. He had never taken a defensive snap in his NFL career. He stepped in and played 70.5 percent of the defensive snaps for the game. Hadden did a good job in coverage as Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy never was able to take advantage of Hadden’s inexperience.

The Packers had Carrington Valentine covering Justin Jefferson, but that meant Hadden had to cover Jordan Addison. Addison didn’t have a big game.

Head coach Matt LaFleur was impressed by the job Hadden did. “I would say this about Kamal. Kamal has made as much progress as any player that we’ve had here. Just to see where he’s come from to where he is now,” LaFleur said after the game. “I think it’s totally reflective in terms of how he’s approached coming in the building on a daily basis. He practices the right way. He approaches it the right way. I’m really proud of him.”

The Packers still don’t know if Nixon will be available Thursday against the Lions. Detroit’s offense would be a much bigger challenge for Hadden if he has to play against them. But against the Vikings, Hadden did what reserve players are supposed to do: he entered the game and got the job done.

 

 

 

 

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