Unfortunately, injuries have always been a part of football. Every year, the Green Bay Packers, and every other NFL team deal with injuries to key players which can change the outcome of a season. But some players are more easily replaced than others. Here are the five players that the Packers can least afford to lose to injury in 2026 as they prepare to start training camp.

Players are ranked on a combination of how talented they are, how important they are to the team’s success, and how difficult it is to replace them based on who is on the current roster. So, the depth available at the position is a factor in putting together this list.

Fifth Player the Packers Can Least Afford to Lose to Injury in 2026: OT Zach Tom

The Packers offensive line remains vital to the team’s success both at both running the ball and protecting the quarterback. The team’s best offensive lineman is right tackle Zach Tom. Tom graded out as the team’s top lineman in each of the last three seasons according to Pro Football Focus.

Tom provides the Packers with consistent pass protection and grades out as their best run blocker as well. He is coming off a patellar injury that caused him to miss several games late last season including the playoff contest in Chicago. The offense certainly was hurt by his absence.

The Packers offensive line doesn’t have a lot of depth. Darian Kinnard is the only experienced backup on the current roster. There are questions about every starter along the offensive line including Jordan Morgan who enters camp as the expected starter at left tackle. There would be a big drop in talent and consistency if Tom were to miss substantial time due to injury.

Fourth Player: S Xavier McKinney

Safety Xavier McKinney has earned All Pro honors in each of his two seasons with the team. McKinney reached first-team All Pro status in 2024 and second-team All-Pro in 2025.

McKinney plays a smart game as a deep centerfielder in the secondary. Opposing quarterbacks have been more reluctant to throw deep down the middle over the last two seasons since McKinney joined the team.

New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon emphasizes his safeties so expect McKinney to play an even bigger role this season.

The Packers have good depth at safety with Javon Bullard ready to step in if an injury occurred to McKinney or Evan Williams or McKinney could have been higher on this list.

Third Player: RB Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs served as the Packers top running back for the last two seasons. Right now, his availability for the season remains up in the air after his offseason arrest. While no criminal charges have been filed against the team’s star running back, the NFL will conduct their own investigation and can still suspend Jacobs regardless of the outcome in court.

The Packers lack proven depth behind Jacobs. MarShawn Lloyd has played only one game in two seasons due to assorted injuries. Even if he stays healthy, his lack of size makes him better equipped to be the change of pace back and not the number one guy.

Chris Brooks is better suited to being the third running back. His biggest strength remains protecting the quarterback by picking up blitzes and stunts. He provides the Packers with serviceable running and receiving skills.

The Packers lack a running back on the roster who has a proven NFL track record as a number one back and if Jacobs misses time, the drop in production would be very noticeable.

Second Player the Packers Can Least Afford to Lose to Injury in 2026: Edge Micah Parsons

We already saw the impact that the absence of Micah Parsons had on the Green Bay defense late last season. The Packers were 9-3-1 and leading the Broncos in Denver when Parsons suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The Packers lost their remaining four regular season games and their playoff game as well without their star edge rusher.

We already know Parsons will miss at least the first month of the regular season and perhaps as much as half of it as he continues his rehab, so the team will have to find a way to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks without him.

The Packers traded Rashan Gary to Dallas and let Kingsley Enagbare go as a free agent, so the team lacks proven depth at the position.

They will lean heavily on former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness as one starter with four or five younger players battling for the other starting job and spots in the rotation.

First Player: QB Jordan Love

Quarterback Jordan Love earns the top spot on the list. Love continues to develop as a passer and is now considered a top 10 quarterback in this league with the potential to go higher in the rankings with a strong season. He has led the Packers to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as a starter.

Most NFL teams are in big trouble if their starting quarterback misses significant time. Last year, the Packers could count on Malik Willis who was one of the better backups in the league. Now, the Pack has Tyrod Taylor who would be serviceable at best.

If Love were out of the lineup, the Packers chances of contending for the Super Bowl or even making the playoffs would take a serious hit. He is the player the team can least afford to lose to injury in 2026.

 

 

 

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