The Green Bay Packers are gearing up to take on the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the 2025 NFL season this weekend. With a record of 9-6-1, the Packers have secured their spot in the NFL Playoffs for the third consecutive year, entering as the seventh seed. They are set to face either the Philadelphia Eagles or Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round.
However, the Packers are contending with a string of injuries affecting several key players, many of whom are expected to miss the remainder of the season. As they prepare for one last regular-season contest, the team’s strategy seems to focus on preserving their remaining healthy star players for the upcoming playoffs.
In a notable decision, head coach Matt LaFleur has announced Clayton Tune will take the helm as quarterback on Sunday, despite Jordan Love having cleared concussion protocol. This move is part of a broader plan to manage the team’s roster effectively.
Amid these challenges, there is a silver lining for the Packers as rookie defensive lineman Collin Oliver is set to make his highly anticipated NFL debut. Selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Oliver has been recovering from a significant hamstring injury that sidelined him since the summer. Recently added to the 53-man roster, his debut offers a glimmer of hope for the Packers’ beleaguered defensive line, which has struggled to secure a sack since Micah Parsons sustained a torn ACL in Week 15.
Oliver had an impressive college career at Oklahoma State, racking up 23.5 sacks, including 11.5 in his freshman year. His return could provide the much-needed boost to a defense looking to rebound ahead of the playoff challenges that lie ahead.
As the Packers look to close the regular season on a high note, the addition of Collin Oliver might just be the spark the team needs to regain momentum heading into the playoffs.