DETROIT − The Green Bay Packers (4-2) won’t have all their defensive starters for their Week 7 road game with the NFC North rival Detroit Lions (3-2) – with veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin out due to a shin injury he suffered in practice – but they will have most of their weapons on offense.

The game marks the 2026 season debut for running back Josh Jacobs, who the Packers activated to the roster after he was removed from the NFL commissioner’s exempt list this week.

Left guard Aaron Banks (knee/toe) has been available for just one game this season, playing one half during the Week 2 game against the New York Jets, but he’s cleared to play and will be available.

Laken Tomlinson has filled in at left guard.

Jordan Love was dealing with a sore back this week, but was a full participant the last two days of practice and is good to go.

Receivers Matthew Golden (shoulder) and Christian Watson (ankle) were limited in practice all week, but there’s no game destination for them.

The defense, while it’s short of players, will get some help at defensive tackle as Jordon Riley was activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list. This will be the first game he’s available since he suffered a torn Achilles at the end of last season.

The Packers ruled out six players. Here’s a look at the inactives:

Green Bay Packers inactives

The Packers face one of the top offenses in the National Football League without standout linebacker duo Zaire Franklin (shin) and Edgerrin Cooper (Achilles).

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he doesn’t see Franklin’s injury as a long-term situation, but defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will rely on Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper to carry the load for at least one game, as well as Nick Niemann as a possible backup. 

Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring), Kaleb Johnson, Jager Burton, Donovan Jennings and Kevin Zeitler also are inactive.

Detroit Lions inactives

For the Lions, safety Brian Branch makes his season debut returning from an injury. Branch has not played since tearing his Achilles on Dec. 4 against the Dallas Cowboys last season.

Starting center Cade Mays is also active after being listed questionable on the injury report with a wrist injury.