Ryan Grant, Eddie Royal among Sun. inactives

Packers running back Ryan Grant has averaged nearly five yards a carry this season. He has been ruled out for Sunday's game. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers have been hit hard by injuries this season.  In all, eight players have been ruled out for Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field.

Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal (groin) will be joined by fellow receiver Demaryius Thomas (finger) and tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) as the three Broncos that have been ruled out for the game.  Cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (groin) and defensive end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) appear to be gametime decisions, as all three players are listed as “questionable”.

Running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and linebacker D.J. Williams (elbow) are both probable to play Sunday, but may only see rotational roles with Willis McGahee and Wesley Woodyard respectively.

For the Packers, running back Ryan Grant (kidney), offensive tackle Bryan Baluga (knee), safety Nick Collins (neck), defensive end Mike Neal (knee) and linebacker Frank Zombo (shoulder) have all been ruled out.

In the place of Grant, Packers running back James Starks (who is averaging 4.6 yards a carry this season) will get the start against the Broncos fourteenth ranked run defense.  Packers second year guard Marshall Newhouse will start in the place Packers injured right tackle, Bryan Baluga.  Having outside linebacker Von Miller and possibly defensive end Elvis Dumervil match up against Newhouse is something Denver’s defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has to be excited about.

Meanwhile, Charles Woodson (knee), offensive tackle Chad Clifton (knee), tight end Jermichael Finley (ankle), defensive end Ryan Pickett (foot), linebacker Vic So’oto (back) and cornerback Tramon Williams (shoulder) are all probable to play Sunday. Cornerback Pat Lee (back) and linebackers Brad Jones (hamstring) and Jamari Lattimore (shoulder) are listed questionable for Green Bay.

If Bailey and Dumervil are able to play on Sunday, it will be huge for the Broncos defense.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. (MT) and the game will be broadcast on CBS across most of the country.