Packers injury update: Evan Williams leaves game vs Lions, evaluated for concussion on Thursday Night Football

The Green Bay Packers defense was already down several key players against the Detroit Lions for their Thursday night game in All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and cornerback Corey Ballentine.

The injury list got bigger for the Packers when they lost rookie safety Evan Williams in the first half to injury. Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness also injured his right thumb early in the game, requiring an X-ray in the locker room. But he returned on the Lions' late second-quarter touchdown before the half.

The injuries to the many defensive players on the Lions heading into the game generated many of the headlines. But the Packers are now playing shorthanded against the NFL's top-scoring offense on the road. And the Lions defense has managed itself just fine in the first half, getting ample pressure on Jordan Love as Detroit leads Green Bay, 17-7.

Here's the latest on Evan Williams' injury.

Evan Williams injury update

Williams was being evaluated for a concussion in the first half against the Lions.

He had a head-to-head collision with Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Williams was seen walking to the locker room with a team official early in the second quarter and did not return to the game.

Williams has been a breakout player for the Packers defense after he was selected in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.

He was called for an illegal contact penalty in the end zone on the Lions' first touchdown drive on Thursday night. 

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