Packers place TE Luke Musgrave on injured reserve

On Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers announced that they would be placing tight end Luke Musgrave and running back Emmanuel Wilson on the injured reserve, which means that they’ll miss at least the next four Packers games. Wilson left the last game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a shoulder injury, leading to him being carted to the locker room before the first half finished. Musgrave, on the other hand, finished the game but was later diagnosed with a lacerated kidney that required a visit to the hospital.

In place of Musgrave and Wilson, the Packers activated running back James Robinson — who was recently re-signed to the practice squad — and receiver Bo Melton to the 53-man roster. It’s still unknown whether or not they’ll be playing against the Detroit Lions tomorrow. With Wilson out of the picture and Aaron Jones (knee) unlikely to play due to a sprained MCL, though, Robinson probably has a better chance to suit up than Melton. Earlier this week, the Packers also re-signed former practice squadder Patrick Taylor to the 53-man roster, a position he will hold for at least the next three weeks — per the NFL rule for practice squad poaches.

Two players were also elevated for gameday against the Lions from the Packers’ practice squad: fullback Henry Pearson and safety Benny Sapp III. Sapp played last week against the Chargers, a game in which he contributed on special teams and as the team’s dime defender. Pearson might be asked to fill in Josiah Deguara’s role, as the tight end/fullback hybrid popped up on the injury report this week. If Deguara can’t suit up, with Musgrave already out, the only healthy body types there on offense are rookies Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims.

At safety, Sapp will likely provide depth at the position again. Darnell Savage began “practicing” in the Packers’ workouts this week, which means that he’s eligible to be activated from the injured reserve — but the team didn’t announce that move today. The Packers’ other preferred starter, Rudy Ford, remains on the injury report after missing last Sunday’s action. If Ford and Savage are out, the expected starters are Jonathan Owens and Anthony Johnson Jr. Green Bay also released special teamer/safety Dallin Leavitt this week, which only made them thinner at the position before Sapp was confirmed to be called up.