It’s been a long road back for former first-round pick Derek Sherrod. He broke his leg late in the 2011 season and was active for the first time since then last week in the Green Bay Packers loss to the Giants.
He actually played three snaps on the field goal unit, but didn’t get any snaps on offense.
That could change this week.
Marshall Newhouse filled in for the injured Don Barclay at right tackle last week and was his usual lackluster self. If Barclay remains out, then the Packers might turn to Sherrod at right tackle, at least part of the time.
“Derek Sherrod had an excellent week of practice [last week],” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week. “His padded work on Thursday, I thought he took a huge step. You saw a lot of things that I think he needed to feel and see, and it’s on video, and we’re able to coach off of it. He hasn’t been in training camp, and those type of practices are what he needs, and he’ll have another padded practice this week.”
The key with Sherrod is getting him up to speed.
He spent the first part of this season on the physically unable to perform list, so he hasn’t had the reps the rest of the offensive linemen have. When he finally plays some offense during a game, he’ll probably be alternating with Newhouse.
Of course, if Barclay comes back, that could make this all moot.