The Green Bay Packers will be without tight end Jermichael Finley on Sunday, but it looks like their two biggest injured stars have a shot at playing.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a concussion on the final play of the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit, will miss some practice time this week, but hasn’t been ruled out for Sunday.
Rodgers will have to pass a series of tests in order to be cleared, but both coach Mike McCarthy and backup Matt Flynn expressed optimism Rodgers would be able to play.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a hamstring injury. Matthews missed four weeks of training camp with a similar injury, but this injury doesn’t appear nearly as severe and there’s a chance Matthews could be back in action this week.
The Packers also got some good news on linebacker Brandon Chillar, who has missed two weeks with a shoulder injury. Chillar will test his shoulder in practice this week and if it responds well, could be available on Sunday.
In other injury news, the Packers will be without tight end Donald Lee and safety Derrick Martin for some time. Lee injured his chest on the second play of the Redskins game, but returned to score a touchdown. Martin injured his knee. Both players are expected to be out several weeks.
With both Lee and Finley out of the tight end mix, the Packers are extremely young at the position, with rookie Andrew Quarless and Tom Crabtree, who is in his first year on the Packers’ active roster.
With Martin out, Jarrett Bush will receive more reps at strong safety. Charlie Peprah started against the Redskins, but gave up two big plays.
Finally, defensive end Ryan Pickett suffered an ankle sprain, but is still being evaluated.
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