The Green Bay Packers faced an unexpected issue ahead of their game against the Arizona Cardinals. The team plane carrying coaches and players was delayed by five hours and 14 minutes due to “mechanical issues.” According to Adam Schefter, the team has now switched planes and departed for Phoenix.

“After experiencing mechanical issues with their team plane that was scheduled to leave Green Bay for Arizona at 1:30 pm CT today, the Packers now have changed planes and are expecting to depart shortly. Their delay is now over five hours and counting,” he wrote on X.

After a delay, the players’ plane began taxiing at 7:05 p.m. CT. According to NFL journalist Rob Demovsky, a replacement aircraft was flown in from Detroit for head coach Matt LaFleur and the team.

The Packers typically travel on two charter planes, the first, carrying staff, left on time at 1:15 p.m. CT, while the second, which had mechanical issues, was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT. With kickoff set for 1:25 p.m. MT, the team managed to avoid further setbacks despite the delay. Travel disruptions like this aren’t unusual.

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Earlier this year, on January 6, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars faced a seven-hour delay following their 26-23 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The team, including players and staff, was stuck at Indianapolis International Airport due to a winter storm and was finally cleared to depart at 1 a.m. EST.

While the Jaguars had hoped to leave before the storm hit, the game’s overtime finish contributed to the extended delay. As for the Packers, coming off a bye week and a 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, they’ve cleared the travel hurdle with far less delay.

But this has left the team and the players with less time to prepare for the game. While the Packers deal with the time issue, the Cardinals, on the other side, are gearing up for Week 7 after their 4 straight losses.

The Arizona Cardinals have a new plan to break four-game losing streak

Whether or not it’s a must-win, the Cardinals need to end their losing streak to prevent tension in the locker room and reignite hope within the team.

As they prepare to face the Packers, the Cardinals have bolstered their offense by promoting running back D’Ernest Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster. The six-year NFL veteran, who previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns, will serve as a backup to Michael Carter and Bam Knight.

“D’Ernest (Johnson) is doing a good job picking the system up,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said about the player, who had 989 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 214 carries throughout his career. “He’s been in a similar system, so that’s been cool to see.”

With their quarterback, Kyler Murray, out, the Cardinals will need all the help they can before they face the Packers.