Packers activate Darnell Savage before game vs. Chiefs

Savage hasn’t played in a game since Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. Now, he’s been activated off of the injured reserve.

The Green Bay Packers announced on Saturday that they will be activating safety Darnell Savage from the injured reserve going into their Sunday Night Football matchup versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Savage, who has been dealing with a calf injury since Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, hasn’t played in a game since Week 7 — but he is a preferred starter.

Both Savage and Rudy Ford, the team’s starting safeties, were listed as questionable against the Chiefs on the Packers’ final injury report on Friday. Now, it looks like Green Bay will be armed with at least one starter at the position, which should push rookie seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. to the bench.

It’s notable here that Green Bay didn’t activate cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring), who is also practicing with the team despite being on the injured reserve. We’ll have to wait at least one more week before Stokes’ return to the field.

The Packers also called up two players from their practice squad today: running back James Robinson and fullback Henry Pearson. Pearson was first called up on Thanksgiving versus the Detroit Lions, when tight end Josiah Deguara was dealing with a hip injury. At the moment, Deguara is listed as questionable versus the Chiefs.

Robinson should fill in as an emergency back behind AJ Dillon and Patrick Taylor, as the running back rotation will be out Aaron Jones — who has already been ruled out of the game for his knee injury. Expect one of Jaire Alexander (shoulder) or Robert Rochell (calf) to suit up for this game after being listed as questionable, since the team didn’t bring up a cornerback off of the practice squad this week and elected to not bring Stokes off of the injured reserve.